Since we didn’t have a maintenance project this year like
the two previous years, we had free time this morning so that meant we were all
able to spend some time at the pool. It was a beautiful day and perfect weather
so the time spent at the pool was a lot of fun. Knowing it was at least 80
degrees warmer in Florida than it was in Iowa was enough to make all of us
smile! We all lounged around and hung out at the pool then made our way back
home to get cleaned up before heading to the Village for the afternoon.
Some of the girls had
shifts that started at different times so we got to GKTW a few hours early to
give us all time to explore and check everything out. It was so fun being able
to explore and take pictures of everything and read all of the plaques and
descriptions of each area and every building. It really helped me understand
how things were named or why it is in the Village and the importance behind it.
Everything at the Village has a special connection to a child or family in some
way and the stories behind each thing were really inspiring. We got to play on
the boundless playground, hang out in Mayor Clayton’s house and tour the
Gallery of Hope. It all made me swell up with a mix of emotions, mostly happy
and some sad for these kids and families, but mainly overwhelmed seeing how
many people help make GKTW run each week to give these kids and families such
an amazing place to vacation to.
My shift for the night was
working at the pool as a pool attendant. That consisted of helping people in
and out of the pool area, getting them towels and taking their towels when they
leave, and walking around to keep the area clean and also to talk with the kids
and families. I was really looking forward to it until a storm blew in and the
pool was closed for the night because of lightning and thunder. Since the pool
was closed, I went to the castle to look at the stars and help out in there for
a little bit. After that, I spent some time in La Ti Da Spa since I didn’t have
a shift there later in the week and I wanted to get some time in there while I
could. It was so fun helping some of the kids pick out a tattoo and watching
them get so excited when it would be airbrushed on. The little girls getting
their nails and make up done were so cute to watch too because they were just
glowing and were little princesses through and through. Before we went home for the night, we stopped
at Wal-Mart for some snacks and then everyone bought yarn to make an
arm-knitted scarf like what we had done on the way to Florida!
High for the day: learning
more about the Village and appreciating everything that has been put into it
and learning about Henri Landwirth and his background. I have so much more
respect for GKTW than I ever did before and am grateful that I got to be one of
their volunteers.
Low for the day: having
the storm blow in so the pool was closed. Things were kind of hectic for a
while and I just felt like I was in the way and wasting my time there but I
found a way to be helpful in the spa and castle instead.
 |
| the entrance to our resort area we stayed at! |
 |
| thoroughly loving the sun and knowing it's 80+ degrees warmer here than in Iowa! |
 |
IOWA day at the Village!
So proud to be representing IOWA at GKTW! |
 |
| hang ten! |
 |
| taking a ride around on the carousel! |
 |
| playing on the awesome lifesize Candyland playground! |
 |
| Tej, the therapy dog visits the Village twice a week |
 |
| found a chair just my size in Mayor Clayton's house! |
 |
| yumm! Twistee Treat! ice cream stop! |
 |
| I got a twist cone that was as big as my face! |
No comments:
Post a Comment