Family provides breath of Fresh Air

Just like the laughter, the toys are everywhere in the Van Ullen kitchen in Cohoes.

Eight-year-old Will and Miggy are having at one another with gusto, wielding blinking plastic pirate swords, and parrying blows and giggles with shields made out of sturdy construction paper. Next, they try to dunk a beanbag into a basketball net tacked to the basement door. Then it's on to Hunter, the family dog.

Christine Van Ullen grins as she watches the boys play. "The first day, Will wrote in his journal about how he always wanted a brother," she said. "He's learned a lot. Later on, he writes about how he found out that brothers sometimes argue."

'Brothers'

The "brothers" are actually from two different worlds. Will Van Ullen, a student at St. Pius X School in Loudonville, hails from the suburbs, where neighborhood children catch fireflies and splash in above-ground pools. Darwin Miguel "Miggy" Andujar lives in an apartment in Manhattan with his mother, younger brother and two older sisters.

Will's mother is an artist and substitute teacher; Miggy's, an LPN who works with AIDS patients, and in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Will's father is an attorney and judge. Miggy's father is gone.

Miggy's mother "definitely knows what she doesn't want him to be a part of," said Mrs. Van Ullen, whose family are members of Holy Trinity parish in Cohoes. That's why both families participate in the Fresh Air Fund.

Getting together

On her way to pick up Miggy recently, Mrs. Van Ullen likened her nervousness to the feeling she had "right before Will was born. Here's this other little person, and you're responsible for their health, happiness and safety. It can be overwhelming."

Miggy arrived toting a suitcase, a Game Boy and what Mrs. Van Ullen calls "a million-dollar smile." He and Will quickly bonded in the car over a mutual love of Yu-Gi-Oh, a popular Japanese card game and kids' TV show.

Soon, the Van Ullens were introducing Miggy to unfamiliar summer exploits at a breakneck pace: fireflies blinking in their hands, for example, and a motorboat ride on Lake George, where "the best part was when a big wave came up and we all got wet," according to Miggy. In return, he attempted to teach his new friends some cool urban dance moves.

Boys at play

The boys picnicked with the neighbors' children and saw movies at the multiplex; attended swim lessons and played video games; yelled on rides at Hoffman's Playland; ate yellow watermelon and watched Independence Day fireworks; and had marathon water-gun fights among neighborhood backyards in the sweltering heat.

"I think Will got the wettest," Miggy said.

"That's because you always use the biggest Super Soaker!" retorted Will.

Sharing

Having Miggy around -- sleeping in Will's room and sharing his toys -- has given Will a new appreciation for what it means to share.

"The first day, it was kind of weird to have someone in the house," Will admitted. "It's hard to share sometimes. I don't like sharing, but I guess I have to. And it's different from playing by myself, but it's fun."

"Will is nice," Miggy said. "He's fun to play with. If we're bored, he'll find something to do."

Extra duties

The week has been fun for the kids, but busy for Mrs. Van Ullen, who has served as surrogate mom, chauffeur and entertainment director.

"I don't know what I was expecting," she said, talking about how the boys both exhilarated and exhausted her -- and how she was wrestling with the commitment. Weeds in the garden lay unpulled, laundry was left unwashed and other chores clamored for her attention as much as the children.

"But the weeds will be there next week," she laughed.

Experience speaks

Families who are considering hosting a Fresh Air child, Mrs. Van Ullen said, need to know that the two weeks are a large commitment and that some families might prefer a one-week visit.

She recommends buying journals to write in, disposable cameras to take pictures with and pre-stamped postcards so the child can write to his or her family if homesickness hits.

Also, she advised holding off buying groceries until you know what kind of foods appeal to the child and keeping a sense of humor.

"It's been more than I expected," said Mrs. Van Ullen. "It didn't dawn on me that here was this person we didn't know. Just the simple thing of having a stranger in the house is quite a change. But he takes everything in stride, like any typical eight-year-old. But it's been more work than I anticipated."

Positive time

However, Mrs. Van Ullen said that the good aspects of hosting a Fresh Air child overwhelm the drawbacks -- and she will host a child, hopefully Miggy, again.

According to the Fresh Air Fund, 65 percent of children come back to the same family for a second or third year.

"The time goes by fast," she said. "It's hard and easy. It's stressful and not stressful. You have to be open to having this other person as part of the family for two weeks. They come and blend right in. And it does go by fast. It's changed all of us in ways that you can't put any dollar value on. As far as we're concerned, Miggy is a part of our lives."

(Since 1877, the Fresh Air Fund has brought together families for one or two weeks so that New York City parents who could not otherwise afford it can offer their children a summer vacation. For information, call Fresh Air at 1-800-367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.)

(7/17/03) [[In-content Ad]]