NOW… BRING ME THAT HORIZON - EVEN IF JUST FOR TODAY
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA | WOMEN & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Within the cold, sterile walls of a any medical facility, the amount of joy and hope you feel often depends on the letters at the top of the door when they wheel you back into your department. The television is a nice touch but often times - I have noticed that if you are scared or uncertain - hurting for yourself or for your child, everything just sounds like static, ongoing, and sometimes maddening noise when all you want to hear is, “everything is going to be ok”.
-THAT IS WHEN HE WALKED IN-
“Do we have a heading?” A mischievous pirate said, peering around the corner of the nurses’ desk. “HEAL UP me hearties, yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!”. Within an instant, a child’s mind once fixated on the wires and needle sticks is pulled into another place. Here, stumbles in adventure. A familiar and comforting place that feel safe but thrilling enough to wonder… what is a pirate doing in my hospital room?
J. Young, who I am so privileged to call my friend and artistic inspiration behind this collaboration, has readied the sails to bring a one of a kind and transformative experience to the children of Huntsville, Alabama. I have always considered it the highest honor to have friends that you can look up to, friends you can learn from and grow with, and adults that show your kids the kindness and love a family provides. Philanthropic character comic, J.Young has extended that love to the local Children’s Hospitals to brighten the lives of our kiddos while at the same time softening the days of those working tirelessly to care for such precious cargo. This is in my opinion, another level of humanitarian work.
It was without hesitation our whole family participated in this thoughtfully designed photo set to bring forth what I see in my friend. Like jumping into a good book, this is that embrace our family feels knowing the life of having a child in the hospital and spending time there myself when I never expected emergency medical care. So from all of us at The Cosmo Cottage, we invite you to take our hand as we show you one of the many treasures of our town, this selfless and wonderful person that gives back to our community to make it what it is.
Now, bring me that horizon - even if just for today.
PHOTO | CONCEPT | MUA | PROPS | ACCESSORIES | WARDROBE WORK : VARIS ROCKHOLT
THROUGH THE SPYGLASS - A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR J. YOUNG
"In my professional life, I have worked as a consultant, Senior Project Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Chief Financial Officer, and Army Combat Medic in a variety of industries (manufacturing, supply chain management, tech, travel, industrial design, telecommunications, precious metals, and military) within a variety of countries (India, Singapore, South Africa, Japan, The Philippines, and Honduras). It has been a great journey! I feel fortunate to have had these life experiences.
Now, I feel that I am able to use my time for others. Volunteering at the children's hospital as a character actor ("Captain Jack Sparrow") has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.
It is such a joy for me to see the pleasant looks of surprise on the faces of the kids and the parents as I walk into the patient's rooms and they realize that someone is there to look in on them and to brighten their day just a little or maybe to listen to them and understand how difficult their situation. At every stop, I pass out bandanas and toy gold coins and tell the kids they need to wear a bandana and have some pirate loot if they want to be a "proper pirate"! I hope they have memories that last them for years to come…”.
-J.YOUNG
“…It is such a joy for me to see the pleasant looks of surprise on the faces of the kids and the parents as I walk into the patient's rooms and they realize that someone is there to look in on them and to brighten their day just a little or maybe to listen to them and understand how difficult their situation. At every stop, I pass out bandanas and toy gold coins and tell the kids they need to wear a bandana and have some pirate loot if they want to be a "proper pirate"! I hope they have memories that last them for years to come…”.
-J.YOUNG
“…Some of the kids really got into the whole of idea of chatting with Captain Jack Sparrow! When that happened, we had some great banter. Those exchanges were lovely as it meant that the kids were able to take their minds off of the reason that they were in the hospital in the first place.
So often, it's easy to forget that the parents have such an important role in ensuring that the kids feel safe and are on the road to recovery. I know it's important to give some relief to the parents, even if it were just for a few minutes. Luckily, most of the parents already knew the Jack Sparrow character, so they are often entertained even more than their kids! The hospital staff (nurses, security, administration, therapists, and doctors) were great! They knew exactly why I was there and always welcomed me with open arms. The nurses were a blast to work with! They are consistently the hospital's front-line in treating the patients, so giving them a brief respite with laughs, pictures, and entertainment makes it all worthwhile.
Koa, Varis, Michael, and I had a blast during the photo shoot! I couldn't have asked for better people and good friends to make the photo shoot both fun and meaningful in preparation for the volunteer work at the children's hospital…”
-J.YOUNG
“…As for why I chose to volunteer, I've watched several videos of Johnny Depp volunteering for children's hospital appearances. He's an ultra-successful actor; he doesn't have to volunteer. But, he chooses to bring some joy and relief to children, parents, and staff alike. And, that is a lovely thing. Mr. Depp was definitely an inspiration for me to try something new and, like him, try to spread a little joy in the world that sometimes has too much sadness. Thank you for helping me to help others, Mr. Depp!”
-J.YOUNG
“YOU THINK IT WISE, CROSSING BLADES WITH A PIRATE?” -Captain Jack Sparrow
“NOW… BRING ME THAT HORIZON” -Captain Jack Sparrow
IF EVEN JUST FOR TODAY
-READY THE SAILS-
MORE ADVENTURES ON THE HORIZON FOR THE COSMO COTTAGE AND PIRATE J.
THIS COLLABORATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY: THE COSMO COTTAGE, J. YOUNG, AND THE ROCKHOLT FAMILY. If you are a small business and wish to contribute to, SPONSOR, or participate in the next creative collaboration, please email Varis at: varisrockholt@gmail.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
THE COSMO COTTAGE AND J.YOUNG EXTEND OUR SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO ANOTHER BROKEN EGG OF GUNTERSVILLE, ALABAMA FOR THE HOSPITALITY SHOWN TO US ON MORNING OF OUR SHOOT. KNOWING IT WAS KOA’S BIRTHDAY, YOUR ENTIRE STAFF MADE OUR DAY SO VERY SPECIAL. ABOVE AND BEYOND.
HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL Women & Children’s FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE STAFF, POSITIVE WORK CULTURE, AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO PATIENT CARE.
WE ALSO THANK THE BEAUTIFUL KRISTEN BELL, LOCAL NURSE AND ONE OF THE HARDEST WORKING MAMA’S I HAVE EVER MET - FOR KOA’S HOSPITAL GOWN AND ONGOING SUPPORT.
A LETTER FROM COSMO COTTAGE
THANK YOU KOA ROCKHOLT, OUR 6 YEAR OLD VOLUNTEER that has seen far too many hospital stays in her little lifetime..
KOA, a NICU and IVF baby opened her eyes for the first time to intensive care and has been familiar with that world ever since. Life started a lil crazy right out of the gate but we were built to weather storms together - as a family. Following a text-and-drive hit from a distracted driver, Koa trick-or-treated, blew out birthday candles, and celebrated many holidays in hospitals across the country to visit her mama. The accident nearly left me without the use of my legs so there we were… You and me. I was discovering how to walk again next to my darling Koa learning to walk for the very first time. Koa was able to shape that experience in an entirely different way because of the love shown by her daddy, the nurses, doctors, and hospital staff across the country. You grew up fast seeing it all. Everyone that meets you knows your loving and nurturing spirit but few know where it came from. Your strength and care for the people around you exceeds your six tiny years but we are so very proud of the little lady you have become. Thank you for your love of giving, for volunteering, for sharing your art and flowers with the world. We couldn’t have done this without you.
