Page 34 - The New Gold Standard

The Ritz-Carlton Experience
presentation with pictures of the kids from kindergarten to
eighth grade, complete with some drawings Natalie’s former
kindergarten teacher had provided.”
Laura goes on to add that “our team hosted a grand prom
complete with Prince Charming who guided her down the red
carpet to Natalie’s favorite song ‘Sweet Escapes.’ There, she danced
the night away with Prince Charming. What an emotional night
for everyone. The best part was she smiled the entire night, she
danced every dance, she ate all of her favorite foods (salami,
cheese and vegetables, and lots of ice cream). She limboed, hula
hooped, chicken danced, Hustled, and led the train around the
room. Parents joined the celebration at 10:30 p.m. just before
Prince Charming turned into a frog. The kids had so much fun
they didn’t want the night to end. After a tearful good-bye,
Princess Natalie was led to her waiting chariot for much-needed
rest at home. She commented as she drove away, ‘Tomorrow I’m
off to the hospital for some tests. I can’t wait to tell them all
about this.’ And she did just that.”
According to Laura, “The buzz around the hotel was incred-
ible. We were making a difference in a child’s life, and in the lives
of her parents and teachers who for one full year had worried
about Natalie, supported her, and cared for her.” Natalie’s father
said, “We are immigrants to this country and have no family
here. When Natalie became ill, we didn’t know what we would
do. But Natalie’s teachers and friends and the staff at Ritz-Carl-
ton became our family.” Natalie’s mother added, “I’ve been
blessed with many friends, but I didn’t know there were such
wonderful and caring hearts as we’ve found with everyone at
Ritz-Carlton.”
Natalie was only 13 when she lost her battle on Thursday,
September 20, 2007. The seamstress at Ritz-Carlton who had
made Natalie’s prom dress also made the dress in which she was
buried. In Natalie’s honor, Laura and the staff of Ritz-Carlton
commemorated what would have been Natalie’s fourteenth birth-
day on October 22, 2007, complete with the cake Natalie had

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