Kids “Get It” at this year’s Swim for Melissa

By Amy George

There are so many things I love about Swim for Melissa. The annual August event, which raises money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation, just seems to bring out the best in kids and their parents. I love to see the children swimming their laps, some of them clinging to noodles or kick boards and working hard for each lap. I love to see their excitement when they learn how many laps they swam. And I love to see their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends cheering them on as they hit the water.

But what I love the most is something I witnessed time and time again this year – children who truly understand why they are swimming.

At last year’s event, as I thanked parents for allowing their children to take part in Swim for Melissa, I received the same response over and over. They would answer, ‘No – thank you.’ Many of them said they were grateful for an event like ours that taught their kids that there are more important things in life than what’s going on in their own little world.

This year, I had several parents approach me and ask if their children could talk to me about Swim for Melissa. Their children wanted to share their thoughts with me about the event. One young girl told me, “This day isn’t just about swimming. Some kids may think it is, but it isn’t. It’s about helping sick babies.” I was so touched by the matter-of-fact manner in which she shared this with me. She knew exactly why she was there, and she knew what it was about.

Another little girl approached me after she swam her laps. She had a very serious look on her face and wanted to talk to me about Melissa. I was happy to talk with her and told her to sit down next to me. Without hesitation she asked me, “Did your daughter die?” I answered that yes, she did. Then the little girl asked why. I delicately explained to her that Melissa was born very early and very tiny. I told her that she was just too sick, and she passed away.
Then this precious little girl said, “Do you miss her?”

“Yes,” I answered, as honestly and gently as I could. “I miss her every day.”

“I bet that makes you sad,” she said.

I chose my words carefully.

“You know what?” I said. “It does make me really sad sometimes. But, I am also very proud of her, because I look at what we are doing today and what you are doing to help tiny babies and we wouldn’t be able to do this if it wasn’t for Melissa.”

That seemed to satisfy her. I changed the subject and asked her how many laps she had swam. After she told me, she hugged me and went on her way to get her swim certificate. As heavy as it was, this exchange didn’t make me sad. On the contrary, it touched my heart. I was so happy that her parents took the time to explain to her why she was swimming that day. I was so touched that she wanted to talk to me about my daughter and that she wasn’t afraid to speak her name. I hope our conversation gave her a better understanding of why it was so important to raise money to help the tiny babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

When it was all said and done, we raised more than $140,000 at this year’s Swim for Melissa. Our fundraising efforts actually kicked off the night before on August 14th at the Miracle Bash. More than 500 people came to the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to enjoy a wonderful buffet dinner, fabulous silent auction and music by local band Junctional Rhythm. Then on Saturday, August 15th, 190 swimmers came out to Hampton Cove Pool and swam laps to help premature babies. We’ll use the money from this year’s event to provide Giraffe Open Warmers and other needed items for our Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Thanks to all of you who played a part – whether you attended the events or made a donation. We couldn’t do this without you! And thanks to those of you who went a step further and shared Melissa’s story with your children. I hope Swim for Melissa touched them as much as they touched me.