Clayton's Scotland Wish
Magic in the Journey
By Colleen Helme

In the world of fantasy, magic is the most important ingredient. It is manifest in all kinds of shapes and forms limited only by the author’s imagination. From dragons to wizards the use of magic is inherent in the battle between good and evil. Although this kind of magic is not found in the real world, another type exists. It is found in our hearts and attitudes and is just as powerful as any created in a fantasy novel.

This summer my family had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Scotland through the efforts of the Make-a-Wish program. The year before, my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which turned out to be cancerous. Although this news was devastating, a ray of hope came when the surgeon was successful in removing the tumor. This was the first step in what was to be nearly a year of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

During this difficult time, the Make-A-Wish people contacted us. They sent two wish-granters to our home who helped my son determine what his wish would be. My son was fourteen at the time and had been thinking hard about what he would wish for. Imagine my surprise when he wished to visit castles in Scotland!

The wish-granters not only granted this wish for my son, but also included our family of six. This was an exciting time of planning and did wonders for my son who was enduring rounds of chemotherapy at the hospital and was unable to participate in school and other normal teenage activities.

He finished his chemotherapy and had a few months to recuperate before the trip was scheduled. The day finally arrived. Armed with passports, luggage, cameras, and airline tickets, we were ready. That morning, another surprise awaited us. A limousine was parked in front of our house to take us to the airport!

Our trip was a whirlwind of activity. We visited twelve castles, even spending the night in one, which had been turned into a hotel. We toured the country from Edinburgh to the highlands, visiting many historical sights hundreds of years old. Standing in these places where so much history took place was thrilling. Even the most "recent" renovations of some castles predated the oldest buildings in the city we call home. When it came time to leave, we couldn’t help shedding a tear or two. The trip fulfilled all of our expectations and we were glad to have met so many kind and interesting people.

My son wished to visit Scotland because he loves swords and castles. To him, Scotland was a mystical place and he wanted to experience that bit of magic. We found it on the moors of the highlands and the craggy mountaintops. It was in the sweet smell of rain and dark earth. It was in the deep swell of Loch Ness and small boats along the river. It was in the green rolling countryside and ancient castle ruins. It was on the battlegrounds of Culloden and in sword and shield of another time. It was on the shores of the North Sea and in haunting sounds of bagpipes, but most of all, it was in the eyes of my son.

There are times in our lives when we re-evaluate what is most important to us. When my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, my life changed. I quit my job to take care of him and knew that life would never be the same. Watching him suffer through surgery and months of chemotherapy treatments was difficult. Facing the reality that he might not survive was even worse. Through it all we found solace in our faith and comfort that we were not alone. My son willingly put his life in the hands of God and found peace. He is now looking forward to a long life full of plans and dreams.

The magic came in the journey. What began as a terrible nightmare changed into something far deeper and more meaningful than we could have imagined. Through it all, we have been the recipients of the goodness that abounds in humanity. From family and friends, to people we’ve never met, the outpouring of good will has been astonishing. Life is good, even amid tragedy. There is a little bit of the Divine in all of us. That’s real magic.