Last Monday, we instituted a new security protocol. If, for any reason, a computer is untouched for 10 minutes, the machine automatically logs off—and its user has to re-enter a password in order to regain access. This, I’m told, is a managerial “best practice”—ensuring maximum protection of confidential data.

The next morning—as I was hunched over a document from which I had already been logged out twice—I was interrupted by a repeated, “Pssst. Pssst. PSSSSSST!” Turning toward the door, I recognized a smiling seven-year-old girl who’s been a regular here since her birth. She waved enthusiastically, then sped off with her mother for a quarterly check-up—a medical “best practice” intended to ensure that her transplanted kidney continues to function optimally.

I was immediately struck by the juxtaposition of vulnerabilities. Whether in management or medicine, we can do everything possible to minimize risk and maximize health and safety. But even the best of best practices can never fully guarantee security. Protected data can be breached by an intent hacker. And transplanted kidneys will always be more susceptible to infection or failure—no matter how often they’re examined.

The Ronald McDonald Houses are places where certain compelling realities tend to come into sharper focus. Daily, I’m reminded that life is a precious gift—and our hold on it inherently tenuous. Consequently, I find myself trusting that doing our best is the best we can do—and recognizing that ultimately, each person’s security must emanate from within.

Still, we need our security blankets. In the end, mine is a nod to one of life’s great paradoxes. All we can really hold onto is the love we give away…

Tom Soma, Executive Director

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Cure Kids Jam at Hillsboro Stadium on August 6 for an all-ages concert jointly benefiting the Cure JM Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The audience got to see performances by previous American Idol contestants Blake Lewis and Kimberly Locke, along with a bunch of other up-and-coming musicians. There were fun games and activities for fans of all ages, including the world record cake walk!

Click here to see photos from the concert.

Singer Blake Lewis and Mason Smedley at Cure Kids Jam

Chloe and Tom

“With compassion in our heart, every thought, word and deed can bring about a miracle.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)

That quote graced the front of a lovely card I received the other day from Chuck Carter—a board member and friend. No special occasion prompted the note. It came, unforeseen, as a welcome surprise at the end of a long day.

While walking to the hospital a few days earlier, I came across another delightful, unexpected treat: two bright red azalea flowers in full bloom—several months out of season!

On another recent afternoon, while eating in the East House kitchen, I found myself on the receiving end of a bouncing ball—tossed wordlessly in my direction by an adorable three-year-old girl. She laughed when I caught it and bounced it back—and continued the wordless, laughter-filled tossing back and forth with me for the five minutes it took to finish my meal.

“Miracles” take many forms. Sometimes a thoughtful gesture from a friend, without a compelling reason. Sometimes flowers blooming out of season. And sometimes little girls simply being healthy enough to toss a ball without need for words.

I like the way Willa Cather puts it in Death Comes for the Archbishop:

Miracles rest not so much on faces or voices or healing power coming suddenly near to us from afar off, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there about us always.

Most days, I feel quite fortunate here at the Ronald McDonald House. The miracles are abundant. And all it takes to experience them are open eyes, open ears, and a heart open to compassion…

Tom Soma, Executive Director

Our August enewsletter went out today, with all the latest information and updates from Ronald McDonald House Charities. Click on the newsletter below to read the eNews online, or click here.

Sign up here to receive the eNews directly to your inbox.

Tom and Tiger

One can’t help but notice the latest ups and downs of the Wall Street roller coaster. Despite hiding out in northern Idaho last week–with no newspaper and limited cell phone access—I couldn’t avoid the reverberations. Now that I’m home (and back on line), the ride hasn’t grown any more pleasant.

This morning, a friend posed a question: If I could capture my wish for the day in a word or a phrase, what would it be? Her answer was “faith”—which she loosely defined as an inner confidence that the things swirling in her world would work out as she hoped, and that she would soon land on solid ground.

Whether the focus is Wall Street or Main Street, I think we’re all in search of solid footing—something to count on and invest in.  Here at the Ronald McDonald House, I don’t have to look far to find it.

Each day, one glance at the guest roster is all I need to remind me of what’s really important. The families who arrive here from hundreds of miles away—with children enduring tumors, burns, heart surgeries, and dozens of other serious illnesses and injuries—are vivid reminders of the hope and perseverance that characterize the human spirit.

I’m inspired by the incredible spirit of our children and families. Despite the swirling circumstances they experience, their continued resolve lends sanity to a world that sometimes seems to be spinning out of control. That’s the kind of solid ground I can believe and invest in. And I’m deeply grateful for the many friends whose generous contributions of time and treasure perpetuate the triumph of the human spirit here every day.

Tom Soma,  Executive Director

The Scofield Family at the Ronald McDonald House East.

We wish to thank the Scofield family from southern Oregon, who generously offered to share their story to raise support for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Scofield’s are featured in a letter mailed to RMHC donors this month, in which they describe the medical emergencies that brought them to the Ronald McDonald House. The family first arrived at RMHC when their twelve year old son Spencer was stricken with a rare autoimmune disease, and were forced to return only days after going home, when their younger son Brycen was injured in an accident on their farm.  Hundreds of individuals contribute annually to RMHC at every level to provide the financial foundation that gives families like the Scofields a place to call home.

Click here to read the Scofield letter in their own words.

Click here to contribute to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Tom enjoying one of Mary's cookies

Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap. -Al Hutchinson

Nothing makes a house smell more like a home than fresh cookies in the oven. It’s the scent of comfort – and prelude to the equally gratifying taste of comfort!

May Vander Yacht has been baking cookies at our East House every Wednesday for the past three years. Because she has a full-time job at Intel, she doesn’t arrive until 3:30. But her first batch is generally ready by 4:30 – which still leaves our guests time for a nap, if they’re so inclined. For staff members like me, Mary’s cookies provide just the right fortification for the rest of the working day!

When it comes to cookie time, we’re very fortunate. We recently added two new bakers at the East House: Sandi Jo Goddard on Sundays and Sher Brown on Mondays. At the West House, Mary Ann Kalstad has been the Tuesday baker since 1989, Laura Dobyns has been covering Wednesdays since 2001 (even taking special requests from staff, families and volunteers), and Charlene Lewis has been our Thursday baker since 2005. Whether you’re staying at the East or West House, the treats disappear quickly! A dessert case filled during the afternoon is generally empty when the midnight snackers wander in.

I’m grateful for Mary, Sandi Jo, Sher, Mary Anne, Laura, and Charlene – who truly are baking a better world – for our children, our parents, and our staff! Now if I could just find a way to pull off that little afternoon nap…

-Tom Soma, Executive Director

We hope everyone had a great time at the volunteer picnic on Saturday, held at Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park. The informal event was a chance for volunteers and staff to get together to enjoy friends, food, games, and a competitive hoola-hoop contest.

Julie impressed everyone with her hoola-hoop talent.

We are excited to announce that KGW’s Russ Lewis will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the 2011 Hearts & Hands Auction at the Portland Art Museum on Friday, September 23. Lewis will host the awards ceremony during dinner, and be there to support Ronald McDonald House Charities during this special night. Registration for the auction opened last week, reserve your seats today! 

You can click here to register online.

Are you a past family that has stayed at one of Portland’s Ronald McDonald Houses? We’d love for you to sign the Family Guest Gook, and leave a message about your time with us. You can upload a photo, share what brought you to stay with us, and let us know how our houses helped you during that time.

You can click here to read the Family Guest Book.

Click here to submit your own Family Guest Book story.