Trolley

As I've mentioned before, Emmett goes down to see "T'ck!" so often that we have made friends with the neighbors close by. Emmett thinks he's king when he walks down this street-they've offered the pool whenever he wants, their kids' toys in the backyard, one little boy gave him his special lego helicopter to bring home for a few days, they always come say hi when we're walking down the street and there is often a lawnmower or other power tool in use. So the walk down to the truck has become just as much of an event for Emmett as seeing the truck itself.

One neighbor, Bob, is in charge of the trolleys at Old Town Trolley Tours and last month when he heard Emmett's birthday was approaching, he said he would bring a trolley up just for Emmett! Well, we kept trying to find the perfect date-when family would be in town, close to his birthday, close to his cousin's birthday, out of the hospital, feeling well... Bob was so generous and so kind and just always said whenever you're ready, I'll make it happen! After this last MRI news and not really knowing what treatments will be next and how long he'll be in the hospital, we talked to Bob on the Sunday after we received results and he said he could come the next day!  I'm sure it was an extra long day at work for him by the time he drove the trolley back down to the city before returning back home (again) for the night.  But he was so happy to do it for Emmett.

We invited some more friends to make the ride extra fun & 

Bob picked us right up at the end of our driveway!

Emmett kept saying "Choo Choo! Choo Choo!" and would pound 

his fist  on the wooden bench. He loved it! 

The big guys in back were having a party

Emmett and Dad got to 'drive' for a minute-which means

 Emmett got to honk the horn for a little bit

Little Tyson slid off the seat when Bob had to brake, so Scott was 

a good friend and kept a human seat belt on him after that

Emmett loved Sage all afternoon and had followed her around at the house;

halfway through the ride, he reached to go sit on her lap and just hung out with her

Here's our driver!

Bob gave Emmett quite the send off, which may have been his favorite part-

he rang the bell and honked the horn a whole bunch.  

Emmett kept saying "Go! go! go!"

The timing ended up being perfect for a few reasons - it was just a week before his birthday; friends and family were able to make it last minute; and most of all, it was just when we needed a big 'pick me up.'  As awful as it is to be in this situation, we have constantly been amazed by the compassion and goodwill of people who were once strangers. Many have now found a place deep in our hearts and we feel we could never repay all the kindnesses.  The great lengths people have gone to in order to bring a smile to a (almost) 2 year old's face has been amazing.  We get to see so many different thoughtful acts of service that have been done quietly without wanting or needing any recognition, and that in itself has eternally touched my heart and brightened some sad days. We can't say thank you enough to our neighbor for a very fun, touching & memorable night!