Kim’s Bubble Story!

 

A delightful friend of ours, Kim Hawes, came over to visit recently. There was much catching up to do since we hadn’t seen her for several years. Many things had happened during that time, including the loss of our daughter Shanda in November.

Shanda was a special person in Kim’s life and vice versa! Kim listened to Al and me with love and compassion, and also shared some heartwarming memories that she had of Shanda.

Our conversation that afternoon covered a wide range of topics, including some of the amazing ways God has worked in Kim’s life. One story in particular was so captivating that I asked if she would mind writing it down to use in a “Good News!” article. Here it is, in her own words:

 

“I was a volunteer at Children’s Hospital for several years and worked in pre-op, which I absolutely loved. My job was to escort patients and their families to and from surgery and be with them in their rooms prior to surgery to play or distract them with toys and bubbles and then escort them to recovery following their procedure.

As the babies and children weren’t allowed to eat before surgery, they were often hungry and a bit agitated. I was referred to as the “bubble lady”, because I would blow bubbles for the babies and toddlers to allow the nurses and doctors to examine and discuss the upcoming procedure to the parents/grandparents. I would then take the bubbles to recovery if the child was in need of some additional comfort.

There was a regular patient who came in with his mother and either the grandfather or grandmother for support. As they were about to be discharged from recovery, I noticed the baby was still crying and handed over my bubbles to the grandfather and suggested he blow the bubbles on their way home to help the child. He was very grateful.

Several months later I forgot to take my bubbles and asked all of the nurses in pre-op if they had any. Unfortunately, nobody did. As I continued to escort families to and from surgery, I kept saying to myself “God, please I need bubbles for the babies.”

As I was returning from escorting a family to recovery, I noticed a nurse escorting a different family to recovery. I told her I would be happy to take them. As I approached them, I realized it was the family I had given my bubbles to several months earlier. We were all so excited to see each other again. You tend to really connect to families in these types of situations, as they’re worried about their child and the upcoming surgery.

 When we met, we hugged, and I told them I forgot my bubbles. The grandfather pulled out a bottle from his pocket and said that after that initial visit when I sent him home with the bubbles, he always had bubbles with him when they came to the hospital.

 He then handed his precious bottle over to me and we both cried and hugged again, both acknowledging that there are no coincidences. In over 6 years of volunteering, I had never given out my bubbles before and I had never forgotten them before either.

 As always, my prayers were answered. Within an hour of asking God for the bubbles, I  ran into the family to whom I had given my bubbles months ago! Whenever I’m in doubt or worried about something I remind myself of this bubble story. It serves as a constant reminder that we always get what we need and that God always hears our prayers.

I thank God for the incredible families I met over the years and count my blessings for my brief time in their beautiful lives. I witnessed such strength and resilience and will forever be grateful for those experiences.” (Kim Hawes, 3-5-24)

Doesn’t this story confirm that God knows exactly what we need and provides it at the right time? For Kim as she served in the hospital that day, a bottle of bubbles. And for us, through Kim, encouragement and comfort, compassion and understanding. God is good!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV