"Laurie sweetie, it's almost time," Susan coaxed her daughter awake as the doctors came in the room.
"Is she ready?" Asked a tall grey haired man with a clip board in his hand. The young girl opened her eyes and smiled at her mother.
Laurie has Lukemia and is a recepient of the 'Make A Wish' foundation. Today is a good day for her in a line of very bad ones. Today she is going to meet her favorite band.
Hanson
Thanks to the foundation, she is able to spend a few hours with the band, taking pics and asking questions. Though she respects the band for their music, Laurie has always been a fan of the youngest member, Zac because of his personality and talent.
"Laurie hon, we need to get you ready," Her mother replied and she helped her daughter to sit up. Laurie's Lukemia has taken much of her hair, but she feels comfortable wearing her brown curdouroy bucket hat, just like the one Zac used to have.
Laurie is dressed in some shorts and a white t-shirt with her patients gown over that. Her light brown hair is brushed down under the hat and she is rolled into the special waiting room, set up for 'Make A Wish' patients. Luckily on this day, she is the only patient in the program so she get's her own private session with the band.
The waiting room is decorated with a 'Make A Wish' banner and tables filled with food for the band.
"They are coming right?" Laurie asks her mother with a shaky voice and Susan just pats her daughter's shoulder and squeezes her hand.
"Sure they are honey. Everybody is waiting until you are ready," Susan replies to her and looks around the room, toward the opposite door. "Now I don't want you to cry or anything, so just take a deep breath and say calm.
A tear of apprehension slowly falls down Laurie's face as she shakes her head. "I've been waiting for this, for a long time," Laurie says aloud to herself as the door slowly opens.
Two older men walk out who Laurie suspects are Walker and the manager Christopher Sabec. They both
walk over to Laurie and her mother and greet them with
a smile and handshake.
Next 3 familiar faces come through the door and Laurie's face immediatly turns into a smile. Zac comes out first (followed by Taylor and Isaac) carrying a large card board box. They all come over to Laurie and stand casually in front of her.
"Hey Laurie. How are you?" Zac asks with a smile and puts down the box at Laurie's feet. He's dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. His hair is in a pony-tail and he has on brown Dr. Martens.
"Im good," She says as a small tear falls down her face. She wipes it away as Taylor stands beside her.
"We've got some presents for you," He opens the box and pulls out a large white stuffed animal. It is a stuffed panda bear with black circles around it's eyes. Laurie starts laughing as she takes the bear from him and holds it to her face. Panda bears are her favorite animals and she's always wanted a stuffed animal to keep her company at the hospital.
Next, Taylor pulls a plastic case that holds a pair of drumsticks. Since Zac is her favorite Hanson, he had personally autographed them for her.
"Thanks so much," She replied with a smile. Laurie looks over at her mother who is talking with Walker and Mr. Sabec.
"That's not all," Ike replies and goes over behind the food table to reveal an acoustic guitar, a tambourine and a set of casenets. He brings them over to the overs are and each brother takes his prefered instrument.
"We are gonna play for you," Zac smiles as they start to set up.
"Mom," Laurie calls to her mother who comes over and brings a chair with her. She sits beside Laurie and puts a hand on her shoulder. Laurie's smile widens as Hanson starts the opening chords of 'Wish that I was there'.
The other songs they sing is 'Sure About It' 'If Only' 'Love Song' and 'Madeline'. After the impromtu concert it's time for the photo session.
Hanson all gather around Laurie in her wheelchair and they smile at the camera.
"Can I have a picture with you Zac?" She asks meakly after the other photos were taken. Zac looks at her for a second and then smiles.
"Sure," He replied and Laurie proceeds to stand up.
"Laurie are you sure? Be careful," He mother warns and Laurie assures her that it's okay. She gives her mother the camera a lightly puts her arm around Zac's shoulder. They both smile at the camera as it flashes in their eyes.
"Can we have a picture with you?" Taylor asks her as he and Isaac pose around Laurie. A few more pictures are taken and the doctor comes into the room.
He talks to Laurie's mother and tells her that it's time for Laurie to return to her room. "She needs her rest," He keeps saying and they both look over at Laurie.
She is smiling and talking to the band as they gather around her wheelchair. "She's been waiting for this day for such a long time," Susan says to the Doctor as Walker and Chris stand nearby.
"The guys always love to do stuff like this for their fans. I almost think it's their favorite part of being in the business besides the music. They love to make other people happy along the way," Walker says as Susan hands him a small piece of paper.
"Laurie wrote this note to them the other day. She really wants to let them know what they mean to her and she couldn't say it aloud. Would you make sure they get it?" She asks Walker and he takes the note and stuffs it in his pocket.
"My pleasure," He says and looks at his watch. "Oh we really have to get going. We have an interview for a local radio station at 4:00."
Susan excuses herself and goes over to her daugher.
"Laurie hon. Im afraid it's time to say goodbye," She says and hears a reply of groans from the 4 talkative teens.
"Okay. I am getting a little tired," Laurie replies and says a quick goodbye to the band. They all give her hugs and Zac slips a piece of paper into her hand.
"Here's my email address and home address" He replies and Laurie looks down at the paper.
"Thanks. It was great meeting you guys."
"No problem. It was great meeting you," Taylor replied and the three guys watch as Laurie is wheeled out of the room and down the hall.
"Okay guys let's hit the road," Walker says from behind them.
"What time is it?" Zac asks and looks down at his watch.
"It's 2:30. We have a radio gig at 4:00 so we'd better go," He replies and they load up the instruments and equipment.
Walking down to the elevator Walker puts a hand in his pocket. He fingers the folded up paper and remembers.
"Hey guys, Lauries's mother wanted me to give you this letter. Laurie apparently wrote it herself," He said and handed the note to Zac.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love, Laurie O'haire
"Thanks dad," Zac says as he fights back a tear from his eye. It's great to touch peoples lives like that and inspire them to find their dreams. He hands Ike and Tay the letter to read as the elevator door opens.
Laurie O'haire is now in remition and she has just celebrated her 15 birthday. She has the will to live because of a band called Hanson and a foundation called 'Make A Wish'.