Reaffirmation and Miracles

The past 6 months has been a time to question God and people in general. Nothing like pediatric cancer to make you question everything you once held so close to your heart. I believed that many people were ultimately good people and that they do help others out. This past six months showed to what a huge extreme this is taken to by a larger group than I could ever have imagined.

Due to Ben’s condition the family has been of course so overwhelmed with a whole new world, this medical world. Learning medical jargon, dozens of new drugs, hundreds of tricks to help Ben with his pain and anxiety, and of course the stress of the unknown. And out of the woodwork pours hundreds, literally hundreds of people wanting to do anything to help. This ranged from offers to cook or pay for dinners (of which volunteers have been providing daily for SIX months!!), to babysitting Jacob (younger brother), to laundry and anything else that needed to be done. I have talked to many of these volunteers and what is remarkable is how everyone has a story. They all speak of a family member, a friend, an acquaintance that had or survived cancer of some type. This is a disease that touches so many, and surprisingly so many children. Walking into the hospital and seeing children under a year already going through chemo breaks your heart to its very core. You feel at a loss, like how could this exist, and after the absolute worst rain storms and hurricanes do we see the most beautiful rainbows ever seen by our eyes.

People and companies come together to bring sunlight and love to these kids! Disney lovingly provided toys and games and personal messages from Mickey while Ben was at the utmost of his pain. Lucas Films helped set us up with actors who volunteered to dress up in full star wars costumes for Ben and other kids. Countless other companies who helped donate toys and t-shirts all for children they don’t know and may never meet. Their compassion is only overshadowed by the hundreds of individuals who did the same with their own time and their own money. Everyday, without recognition and without thanks these are the very foundation of humankind.

How will this story end? I wish I knew. But it has renewed my faith in people and their unending love for others and their generosity that knows no bounds. I know these words in no way do justice to the unbelievable love that I have been privileged to witness and how I pray for the wisdom to show what they have done. I fear I fail in that regard, as there is no words that can demonstrate people’s caring and generosity.

I can say God bless. I don’t know if there is such a thing as karma, or possibly that all our actions are judged after we die, but if so there are so many who are so much better than I could ever hope to be.

May we never lose that desire to help others, the love to persevere when the way is difficult, and the means to provide that love!

Continue to pray for Ben and for everyone else on 2N, they lost one brave soul last Friday after an excruciating battle, but the fight for so many others continues!

Never stop believing!