“On October 13, 2015, I received a phone call from my family informing me that my father suffered a stroke and was in the ICU at Forsyth Hospital. I boarded a plane from California to be by my dad’s bedside. The first night, I stayed in the same hospital room with my father. Needless to say, I did not rest due to the machines constantly ringing, doctors and nurses coming in to provide loving care to my dad, lights blazing, etc. (I am sure you get the picture).

The next day, a wonderful nurse informed me that I could possibly stay at the SECU Family House instead of spending nights in my father’s hospital room. I thought that the Family House would provide me with a cot to sleep on and a place to shower. In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined what a blessing I would find at the Family House.

Ms. Pam, the staff member who checked me in made me immediately feel like I was family and that I was in a place that I could call home for a few days. My room at the Family House was amazing! I was given a private room with a queen size bed, a bathroom with a shower, a television, and above all a welcome note found on my bed! Ms. Pam let me know that I could use the common kitchen to cook breakfast, lunch, dinner whenever I wanted to. Her words were, “This is your home” With all the amenities that I received at the Family House it completely took me by surprise that I was only charged $35 a night. What a blessing!

Unfortunately, my dad passed away on November 12th. I don’t know how my journey would have gone if I didn’t have the opportunity to utilize the Family House while my dad was in ICU. To make the Family House more ingrained in my heart, when I returned home there was a hand written note in the mail from the staff telling me, “That I am now part of the family and to call upon them whenever I needed to.”

Do you have your own story from staying, volunteering, or donating to the Family House?  Share yours here.