This story is being posted with the permission of "Toto" Johnson. Thank you for sharing it "Toto".

"A few years ago when I was living outside of Atlanta I was asked by Make-A-Wish to perform at a little girl's 6th birthday party. She had always wanted a clown to come to her party.

I showed up at the house at the desired time and found a hospital bed set up in the family's living room. Those attending the party were mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, little brother, and our birthday girl.

In reality, her birthday was still a few months away...but she was not actually going to make it to birthday #6. The tumor in her belly was so large that I could see it beneath the sheets.

I did my usual birthday party show, but instead of doing it in my normal, zany, "over the top" way I simply sat right next to her on her bed as everyone stood around us.

The pain she was in was obvious in her eyes, but every once in awhile the pain would be replaced by a sparkle. I was "her clown" that night.

When it was time for me to leave, her mom and dad asked what they owed me for my appearance. I told them that I could not accept their payment as their daughter had paid me 1000 times through that sparkle in her eyes.

"Toto the clown" had no trouble making it through the party, but "Toto the person" had to pull over on the way home and let his emotions loose.

I still tear up all these years later when I think of that night."

"Toto" Johnson