One Boy...Big Difference

This is not a story about me. It's about a little boy who changed me forever. I wanted to do something special during my last year in middle school, so I decided to do an art show at my school for Make A Wish. My best friend is the state ambassador for M.A.W, so everything worked out beautifully. She had all the contacts; I had the ideas. When the big day finally came, a little boy entered the room where the art show was being held. "Hello!" I said "what's your name?""_______" he said cheerfully in a voice barely above a whisper. His mom came up to me "Thank you so much for what you're doing." "No problem!" I answered. Of course. He was the little boy whose wish I was granting. He was 6 years old, but part of his heart was severely undeveloped. During the whole event, everything went smoothly. We had one accident with a girl who hurt her arm, but she was OK after a while and even sang with the school’s Glee Club at the end. After a silent auction, weeks of selling M.A.W. bracelets, and collecting all the art, it was time to announce the money we raised. A lady who was helping me handed me the slip of paper that held the amount. She beamed down at me while I opened it. "Are you sure that's right?" I gasped. She nodded. I got up on stage. "Everyone, I am glad to tell you we raised a good bit over above our goal of $300-$600," everyone cheered, "We raised over 1,000!" Everyone clapped loudly. I went on into my practiced speech thanking everyone for coming and our sponsors for providing food. Once everybody started clearing out, I went up to the M.A.W. person and asked if it was enough, and she assured me it was. I went up to the boy's family and told them. The mom thanked me and was almost moved to tears. She went up to her son, "________," she said "you're going to see Mickey Mouse!" He started laughing with joy and chanting in his little voice "Mickey Mouse! Mickey Mouse!" He went up to me and kissed me on my cheek with a big hug. His mom came up to me, "Thank you again! He's been through so much. You have no idea how much this means to him." I was shocked. I honestly had no idea what I had done. This boy was so happy. He started dancing with a little Santa puppy that sings, and he grabbed some balloons and started playing with them. He had overcome so much with his heart condition, and I had given him what he otherwise couldn't have done. My best friend's works came back to me "If there ever is a turning point in the child's condition, it comes when their wish is granted." That night it wasn't just his life that was changed... it was mine.