House of Miracles Event

I was honored to speak at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo and certainly thank all who took part in the event. The photo above shows all who are featured in the book and took part in the signing. This is my thank-you to those involved.

House of Miracles - September 30, 2008

About twenty years ago I thought that if I wrote the right words, in the right order, I could change the world that I live in. Of course, as I’ve grown older, I now understand that the grandiose dreams of an idealistic writer, probably won’t get much done.

Yet I stand before you today realizing that through the past seven years the words that I wrote in Counting on a Miracle and in House of Miracles have had an impact on a few lives.

House of Miracles is about a community of people who toil day in and day out to offer a little of the human touch that eludes us in other walks of life.

It’s about Brian Smistek, the hospital photographer, who makes sure that he leaves a positive impression on everyone he meets.

It’s about Sister Brenda Whelan, the hospital Chaplin, who doles out faith, hope and love to the world around her.

It’s about Olivia Stockmeyer who nearly died following an operation for a cleft palate, but now has one of the greatest smiles in the world.

It’s about the love of the family of Anthony Stinson and the dedication of a wonderful mother, who has never stopped believing in life.

It’s about the family of Alexia Grace Kilroy and a mother who through love and comfort made sure that her family emerged intact and touched by the Hand of God.

It’s about the doctors and nurses and staff members: Dr. Michael Caty, Dr. Doron Feldman, Nurse Ellen Eckhardt, Nurse Linda Eschberger, Nurse Sue Popenburg, Child Life Services Director Deborah King and Stone’s Buddies leader Joanne Lana – who dedicate themselves to the grandiose ambition of saving our children. I will forever be in awe of the people who lent their names to this story, and I am further indebted to those who weren’t included, but are as equally determined to serve up the best healthcare in the world.

It’s about Barb Kourkounis, the champion of the parent advisory committee. Barb is a woman who is the very picture of dignity and respect, and she has worked hard to make it an asset of care at the hospital.

House of Miracles is also about leadership and an administrative staff led by Cheryl Klass, who as a testament to her commitment, chose a quotation from Aristotle to start her chapter of the book.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

Seven years ago, I walked out of the hospital with my son, Jake, who is as good as new. For the rest of my life, I will strive to write the words in the perfect order, to tell the world about the place where my boy’s life was saved, and to introduce anyone who cares to read about it, to a staff of people who opened my eyes to a world of love, compassion, and care.