RA RA RYAAAAN HOUSE!

Many people have asked me about my experiences at Ryan House thus far and I get so awkward or emotional talking about it, so I figured I would write to tell y'all about it.
What is Ryan House you ask?
For those of you that do not know what Ryan House is, it is a place where kids that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness can come and give their parents a break for a few days (respite care) and hang out with all the cool people that work there, or where families can come to receive end of life care for their children. (For more specifics you can visit their website that the bottom)
anywayssss..
Ryan House is AMAZING.
You ever have one of those times when you are so incredibly humbled? That happened to me tonight.
Up to this point Ryan house has been quite the emotional roller coaster. It is the biggest blessing, but also causes the occasional heartache.
Every week I fall in love with at least 6 kiddos. They sure know how to love like no one else I've ever met.  The are brave, funny, love and act just like any other kid, except they have lived a majority or all of their life with a terminal illness.
Funny how we can live more time than many of these kids, but not live as much as these kids. Who says that we have to reach certain milestones in life to experience life. Yes getting our driver's license, graduating high school, getting married, having kids, and growing old are all great things, but who says that should be the norm? What if the norm wasn't about reaching these things but living a life of reckless abandon for our passions, being a best friend and listening to those to need it most, loving everyone, appreciating people for who they are instead of wishing they were someone else, and being honest and respectful of each other.
Wouldn't this be a crazy, awesome world? Well this is the world I go to when I enter Ryan House. They make me want to be a better person, they fill me with so much joy and life, and they continue to bless and teach me so much more than I imagined.
Yes, at times Ryan House is sad for the loss of a friend, but many times it is filled with games, laughter, walks up and down the halls, and snuggles as we appreciate each other.
I am so thankful to be involved with a place like Ryan House and wouldn't trade it for the world.
I know that the career path I have chosen (as a Child Life Specialist) is where God wants me regardless of the ups and downs.
Be you. Live fully. Love others.

Thank you for reading my post that is so dear and near to my heart. If you want to make a donation or see what Ryan House is all about here is their website.
http://ryanhouse.org/


-Katlin