The Island of Friends 2006

On the 14^th of October, 2006, for the first time ever, the Fund Rugutė invited children with oncohematological diseases, their families and volunteers of the Fund to come together.

 

Though Saturday morning is rather cold, the first smiles and embraces radiate incredible warmth. We feel like embracing, grinning and taking each other’s hands, over and over. Minutes zip by without noticing.

 

Soon everyone gathers at the Bernardines’ Church and get ready to spend some time collecting thoughts with Brother Astijus, the Franciscan monk. A quiet moment, filled with reserved sadness, hope and prayers…Brother Astijus tells the last words. Smiles replace tears streaming down faces. A joint photograph with Brother Astijus is taken. Just one moment, and the Fairy Tale will begin.

 

Ships are waiting for their Captains who will take us to The Island of Friends. The Cutter is safely leading us to the harbor. We face our first and, perhaps, the only obstacle at the entrance to the Island of Friends - the shallows. Our ships can’t go any further.

 

We take each other’s hands and navigate, successfully crossing the stone barriers we find on our way. Giggling, we raise waves and make sure our neighbor Captains do not swerve from the course.

 

The Captains are welcomed by Baby Girl, Sugar Boy and Friends. Parents and support teams are already there, waiting. We put on marine uniforms and climb up to the Island. The lonely Sugar Boy is sad. We promise to warm up his heart. But not before we fill our stomachs, because Captains, besides having a good mood, must remain strong.

 

Big-eyed, awing, swaying and clapping hands, we watch the performance of Keistuoliai. Then we share a dance with our joyful Friends. The words of love from Sam McBratney’s book Guess how much I love you, read by Lina, our great friend from the Land of the Rising Sun, move everyone, even the stone walls of Belmontas. We startle as Baby Girl cries out that something is jingling nearby…

 

The brave Knights climb up to the Island and give us a wonderful history lecture. A joint drawing, sweet surprises, bunches of balloons in children’s hands…

 

We say: See you next time...

 

OUR THANKS

 

Where there is great love there are always miracles. (Willa Cather)
 
Dear Captains, their Assistants and Support teams,

 

We are glad that most of you successfully made it to the Island of Friends. We are happy to have been able to spend the afternoon together – feeling each other’s presence, communicating, holding hands, embracing and shedding a tear… The Island would have been empty without you and Sugar Boy would still be lonely and sad…

 

THANK YOU! We love you!

 

From all of our hearts we thank Brother Astijus, the Franciscan monk, for his warmth. We thank Lina, our dear friend from the Land of the Rising Sun, for the endless love she gave Children.

 

For the miracle, for the laughter of happy children and for their grins we say a word of THANKS to:

Hosts of Belmontas – for the Great Island, company Mano limuzinas – for the Ships, Virginijus Vitėnas, the Commissioner Inspector and Chief of the Mobile Company of Vilnius Public Police – for the Cutter that safely led the Ships to the Harbor, company Labmed – for the Sweet surprise, Aurimas Juodiškis – for painting on children‘s faces, company Vilbalas – for the balloons, Rita – for creating a fairy tale, Ligita – for the paper fold cranes, Aida and Andrius – for the little ships, Akvilė – for the flowers that adorned the Island, Tadas – for the bandanas, company Anoniminių Darboholikų Klubas – for the sound equipment, Public Entity Oro navigacija – for the projector.

 

Huge THANKS to:

Keistuoliai – for their performance, the Knights – for the history lecture, Friends – for being friends, Sugar Boy Žydrūnas – for his big heart, lovely Baby Girl Asta – for her warmth and love, Kristina and her team – for safe trips, Lina the Captain of the second Ship – for her wonderful song. We thank all those whose kindness made the miracle happen.

 

It was only your tremendous Love and endless faith that helped us all see each other. We are so happy that you are there for us.