Awareness

It's only a few days into September and I'm already blown away by the support for childhood cancer I've seen as I scroll through my Facebook feed. It warms my heart to know that there are so many people that care about these warriors and their families.  At the same time, it breaks my heart a little. It breaks my heart that there are kids that have to face the big "C" word. It breaks my heart that parents have to hear those fateful words...that they have to watch as their child fights for his or her life. It breaks my heart that siblings have to watch their brother or sister be sick, unable to play and be a kid. It breaks my heart that friends don't get to see their friend at school every day, and teachers send assignments to their student in the hospital. And most of all, it breaks my heart that sometimes we lose these children...these sons and daughters...these brothers and sisters...these friends and students.

I wish it didn't take such tragic events to make us aware. I wish I had cared about raising awareness for children's cancer before I lost Henry to this terrible disease. I wish I could have lent support to families and fighters without having had to suffer my own loss. But at the same time, I would not have felt so passionately about the cause had I not lost Henry. I can never say I'm glad Henry died, but I can appreciate what his death has taught me. And in this case, I appreciate that his death brought the importance of this fight to my attention...and into my heart. No child deserves this, no family deserves this, and that is why I will fight...in my own quiet way.