Family and Survival

In addition to being the 13th anniversary of the terrorists attacks on the World Trade towers and Washington, DC, it is also the 13th anniversary of my youngest son's last chemotherapy.  Since that time he has left his teens, had another brain surgery, finished his freshman year of college, and started to contemplate life beyond the confines of his parent's home.  None of that would be possible without the support of his family and friends.  So today I want to take a few moments to thank the people that make our lives richer.

The very best thing that you can do to help someone attain their highest potential is to never let on that you expect anything less of them.  That is a job that parents do, but they can't do it alone.  That is where the social support of a community and an extended family come in.  You have to feel loved and have confidence if you are going to achieve, and our family and our community has been remarkable in their support for us.  I am blessed with people who will pitch in at the worst of times, and over a lifetime, which is what makes everything bearable. Schools, religious communities, friends, family, and even strangers have all made childhood cancer survivorship a better place for my youngest son. Thank you all!