Something To Think About
Something To Think About
I wrote this quite a while ago and I know that this is not September but I felt the need to put a similar article on this site. It is just a reminder for us all to do what we can for the sick.
September is almost gone and I did not remember that it was Childhood Cancer Month. My oldest son had cancer about a year and a half ago. He is definitely not a child, Cancer Awareness Month. Out of all of the diseases in our world, I hate childhood cancer more than any.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been helping children for over 50 years. If one of my children had ever gotten cancer, I would have taken them to St. Jude if at all possible. It was heartbreaking as a Mother to watch my son go through 3 surgeries, back to back and all of the test, and everything else that went with the disease. I tried to pamper him as much as I could. He is still not cancer free for now, and is awaiting more test as I write. The doctors tell one they are well, yet in a year it is back. Not always, of course. That was the way it was with my Mother until she died. Cancer is insidious even more so for a child.
St Jude has been called a place where cutting-edge research and special care is saving little lives every day. It is a place that welcomes desperate families when they walk through the doors. It is a place that allows children to be children while fighting their disease. They are allowed to run and jump and play as if it were their home. Because it is their home until they are considered well enough to live on the outside.
According to a Mother whose little boy has Rhabdoid tumor (soft tissue tumor), “They say life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain. St. Jude gave us dance lessons.” It did not give her name because it was not necessary. They have things like kindergarden graduation and spring prom. What hospital do you know that has these special things for children who are fighting cancer.
I have never had much money so I had to choose what organization to donate each month. I have a soft spot for the hungry in my own city, the children’s home and St. Jude. There are so many more that are worthy and many times I have wished to be rich. I want to give to everything. But I have decided that the suffering of a child is the hardest thing to understand. We live in an imperfect world therefore children get sick just as adults do. The difference is it is much harder to watch a child when they are sick.
The next time you flip you channel in order not to see those children with no hair, just watch about 10 minutes. You will be in awe as you listen to the children talk about their disease and see how brave they are as they have their tests. Let your heart feel what a Mother’s heart feels and I promise you a tear or two will fall down your cheek. I have heard so many say, “I just can’t watch that.” I guarantee if you did, you would want to open your billfold and donate something to help.
It is rare to see an organization that will take anyone whether they have insurance or not, and care for all their needs. That includes taking care of giving the family somewhere to stay. So, even if you are not a giver, at least give something in the name of your healthy child or grandchildren. Just for the month of September. For the children.
