Dreams are funny. Happy or sad, scary or exciting, they all end when you wake up. Whether you’re relieved it’s over or so disappointed that you promptly make every attempt to fall asleep and jump back in, ultimately the only reality of a dream is starting a new day when it’s over.
Mine is the rare privilege of living my dream long after waking up, and it started with a simple phone call in late September when a faceless voice requested an interview about our charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
We are so grateful to be a part of Returning the Favor. It was such an honor to be a part of the show and we have seen so much new opportunity because of Mike Rowe and his team. Even more children will be blessed because of this experience.
I’m not a doctor. I’m not a nurse. I’m not in a medical-related professional of any kind. I didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. That said, before I try to emphasize how important a good night sleep is to a child, let me first state that the thoughts I’m about to share are a mixture of research, opinion, and common sense. Good to have that off my chest. Now let’s get started:
Over the past five years I have helped build over 1,000 beds. I have also personally delivered hundreds of beds to children in need. Many of these children were sleeping on couches, or air mattresses. Many others were sharing beds with parents and multiple siblings. And, unfortunately, many of those children were sleeping directly on the floor. When it comes to the sleeping conditions of children, at this point I feel like I have seen it all.
The last five years have been wonderful. In the last year SHP has done more than in the previous four years combined. It's time to start sharing the stats. We'll post the stats every month and they'll only get better.
I am often asked why I got involved with SHP. After five years of building and delivering bunk beds to children, it is a question I genuinely appreciate being asked. It forces me to remember why I dedicate my time to this wonderful cause of helping ensure that No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in our Town. Here is the story:
In December 2012, my close childhood buddy, Luke Mickelson, posted on Facebook that he and his family were going to sacrifice a portion of their Christmas to build bunk beds for children in need. Like many of you, I read posts on Facebook each day about opportunities to serve others. But I’ve never had a post have an impact on me and my emotions like this one did. I immediately called my wife, Heather, and let her know I felt strongly that we needed to drive from Boise, ID to Twin Falls, ID and help with this project. My wife was 7 months pregnant with our fourth child, and, with three young children excited for the quickly approaching Christmas holiday, we plenty going on in our own lives. Yet I couldn’t shake the nearly overwhelming pull to go and help. So, with the support of my family, that’s exactly what we did.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
There are days when we deliver beds, and we know it’s going to help a child that has been sleeping on the floor, and then there are days when we know because we see it in person. Not long ago, some of our team members delivered a bed and were blown away by the magnitude of what receiving a bed actually meant to a little girl.
This particular delivery was a special one. Our team members arrived at the house to deliver the bed with the same love and respect as always. As they walked into the room where they were to put the bed, they were suddenly struck with an extra dose of compassion. As they opened the door, they saw the little girl who was to receive the bed sleeping on the floor in her makeshift sleeping arrangement. When the girl woke up to find that she was to have her very own bed she was so proud!