Some of you have asked recently about the progress of Austin’s treehouse. Weeeelllll, there’s a reason I haven’t mentioned it. And that’s because it isn’t happening. Or isn’t happening yet.
A few weeks ago, we heard from Make-A-Wish that his project can’t be covered by this year’s budget and would have to be moved to the next fiscal year which starts in September. Which means that, by the time it goes through their approval process and the weather has turned, it won’t be built until next spring.
This is majorly disappointing for a few reasons. First, we of course want the kids to have it, especially after having talked it up for so long. They’ve actually stopped asking recently, which strikes me as sort of sad. But more than anything, I feel really bad that our wish is turning out to be a burden to the organization, which is so not what I had intended. I had been under the impression that this was the sort of wish they wanted people to ask for, since it would be done primarily with donated materials and volunteer labor, but now I’m not sure that’s the case. I asked our wish coordinator if we should make a donation to Make-A-Wish that could go directly toward Austin’s treehouse and she said, No no no, let them worry about the details; we should just enjoy ourselves. Part of me wants to cancel the entire thing and just build it on our own but then I’d feel bad towards them, especially the two women who are in charge of Austin’s wish and repeatedly tell me how excited they are to make this a wonderful experience for the whole family.
What to do, what to do? I guess if this is my big worry, then I can’t really complain, right?
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July 26, 2010 at 12:11 pm
jenny frutchy
Institutional bureaucracy at its worst. That is why I work for one who despises it and has only me to run his foundation. As I and others have said, “if you want something done, do it yourself.” My guess is that the Krissy I know will organize, galvanize and build a tree house sooner and faster than anyone I know. I just hope I can get there soon enough to bang in a few nails myself!
July 26, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Barbara
Krissy, here’s my advice – if the delay is really going to be that long, why not just build it yourself, if you have the means, and the energy, and everything else it takes to do it. That way it will get done, and you can control when and how it gets done. Don’t worry about offending “Make A Wish” – they’re a wonderful organization, and they’ll understand – after all – the goal is to get Austin’s wish done! You can find another wish that he’ll also enjoy – beleive me – I’m sure he’s got lots and lots of wishes swirling around in that awesome brain of his! We did the “Disney” thing – not because we couldn’t think of anything else to do – but because everyone told us what an awesome experience it was – and a large part of the reason that it was so awesome is that we stayed in their special “Village” which is where hundreds of families stay, from all the organizations that grant wishes all over the world. Just being there was so incredible for us – we met so many people whom we never would have met otherwise. And the Disney experience was awesome, with all the special passes, and not having to wait in line. And I’m not really a “Disney” person at all. So that might be an option, or I’m sure there are lots of other things you can think of – but if you want that treehouse, just do it! Barbara
July 26, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Ann
Maybe it could be the light to get you through winter.
July 29, 2010 at 3:20 pm
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