Amanda was sitting up in bed staring at a small computer and listening to a woman's scratchy voice coming across Skype. She barely noticed me, a stranger, walking into her room with the nurse. This was school time and she listened to her far away teacher intently and asked a question.

She seemed large for an 11 year old and her face was round. I guessed the multitude of medications she takes made her cheeks round and swollen but her eyes were bright and attentive. It wasn't until I got on the other side of her bed that I noticed the right side of her head was shaved and zig zag incision was fresh, but healing.

Amanda’s mother was smiling and friendly. Maybe having a film crew in Amanda's room helped break up the long hours of waiting and worry. Somehow she was dealing with the overwhelming possibility that her sweet little girl had a cancerous brain tumor that may take her life.

We returned an hour later, after on-line school had ended, to see two nurses busily taping up posters of sunny Hawaiian beaches and a hula dancer. A pile of colorful fabric flowers were heaped on the bed in front of her where the computer had been. I watched Amanda's face light up as her best friend/ favorite nurse, Tracy Tidwell, stepped in the room and gave her warm hug. They joked and Amanda giggled while she placed a purple lei around the neck of the nurse and they asked each other who would be the first to do the Hula when the party started in a hour.  Why the Hawaiian party on the oncology floor? Although her wish had been granted, Amanda was too ill to take her dream trip to Hawaii so the staff created Hawaii for her.

While they still have hope, I suspect both Amanda and her mother know there is a chance she may not recover.  So every day counts.  This day was a special day, filled with ordinary normal things: school work, dressing up, silly jokes, a party and laughter. When you have so little precious time who wants to waste it on pity and fear?

I know I will not see Amanda again but I carry her smile and her laughter home with me. It reminds me to find joy and appreciation in the simple every day things that surround me. Cancer has made Amanda wiser and older than kids her age. She has learned an important life lesson that many will never know --- that each day truly is a gift.

There are many children like Amanda in Children’s Hospitals. Thankfully there are also many special caregivers whose love, commitment and expertise treat more than just medical problems. Children’s Hospitals deserve our respect and appreciation – and yes, our financial support as well.

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals ® raises money for the unique programs and services that save kids lives. Unfortunately no amount of money could save Amanda’s life but Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helped to make each day of her precious life, better. In Amanda’s memory, and for all the kids who fight for life, I will be making a donation during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon. I hope you will too.

Note: As a freelance producer, I have the privilege to occasionally work for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and help in the production of some of the inspiring stories for the National Telethon.  That’s how I came to meet Amanda and be touched by her spirit and courage.  Its also  how I met every kid's best friend, Tracy Tidwell, RN, MSN, APN, Director, Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis.