Dear Tie,

I want to thank you for making my son Luke’s wish come true! We were in Toronto to meet with you and your teammates on December 23rd, 2005. You met with Luke and our whole family after your game against the Boston Bruins. I have been meaning to write to let you know how much we appreciate the time you took with Luke to make his wish so special. Taking him to the back room to meet some of the other players was so kind of you. Luke has not stopped talking about his wish since Christmas and about how kind you and your teammates were to him.

Luke is often told that he is special because his syndrome is so rare, but he said that it was after your game that he felt special. He felt this way not because he had Morquio Syndrome but because he was just himself. I saw how truly happy my son was for one of the few times in his life. He is often in a lot of pain because of his disease, but always smiles and goes on despite his pain. He forgot about his sore legs and how tired he was for those few hours he was at the game and afterwards.

I know that one of the main reasons we were able to go on that particular night was because you donated seats in order for us to attend the game as a family. Luke tells everyone he meets that the most important things to him are his family and of course hockey! He was able to see the team that he follows with such loyalty – win or lose, he always cheers for the Leafs! In addition to this, he was able to enjoy the experience with his family and his other hero in life, his cousin Nathan.all thanks to you!

We all know that on the ice you are a very aggressive hockey player; our youngest son Zane is always watching for you because he likes the fights in hockey. After Luke met you he said “Tie is only tough in hockey ’cause in real life he is the bestest guy ever!”

To know that your child will struggle through life is one of the hardest things – to hear that they will die before you is crushing; and to have two sons affected with the same disease has been a long and difficult road with many bumps and hard days. We are getting through each day just one step at a time and you gave Luke, Zane, and our family a day filled with pure happiness and joy. The boys talk to everyone about their experience and each time they talk about it they have true happiness in their eyes!! As a parent that is all I could have ever hoped for. To see them happy and full of joy! So, in a way you and Make-A-Wish have made my dream come true as well. You are not only my son’s hero; you are my hero now as well!! Thanks again for being so kind!!

Yours truly,
The Braun Family