All kids get sick. Colds and flu’s are just part of a child’s process of building immunities for their future health. When a child is sick, it is not a fun experience for either the child or the parent. But it is part of life. It’s when an illness becomes a child’s life that is the most devastating. It is truly not fair.
I have been blessed with healthy children. Sure, I have one child with severe peanut allergies but that sort of thing is manageable through education, awareness, and training. My wife and I are always in a state of constant alert when our child goes to birthday parties, camps and schools. How do you avoid the staple that makes up a majority of kids’ daily menus…the peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Trust me, it’s not easy. But this post is not about allergies but rather about something much more serious.
Some friends of our family whose daughter is in the same kindergarten class as mine recently found out that their child has Leukemia. As of this writing it is unknown what type she has but that doesn’t really matter. It is an unjust act of Nature or God when something like this happens. This child’s family is changed forever as of this point. Anything that was the norm is now only dreams and wishes.
I must admit I know next to nothing about Leukemia, or any other life-threatening disease for that matter. Call it “living in denial” or just not focusing on things that don’t affect me. Now I think differently. It is truly devastating as a parent to have your own creation affected in this way. Of course, you could live your life in fear that this could happen to you or your child, or you could live your life to the fullest, enjoying every second of the day. Most people live somewhere in between…until you are touched by the hand of fate.
If you are taking the time to read this, I thank you. Take a few more seconds to say a prayer or make a wish for children who have been dealt a hand out of their control. And don’t just stop there. Learn more, educate yourself and your peers, figure out ways to help, even if in non-direct ways. If you know a person or family in that situation, it might be incredibly hard for you to engage with them. They may be overwhelmed, or you yourself just simply may not have the capacity or strength to do so. But do what you can, even if your contribution is small.
With our friends, I don’t know how to help. I’m scared to actually. So I’m writing this post as my miniscule contribution to their cause. What can you do to help?
- Learn about Leukemia
- Donate to organizations like: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, National Children’s Leukemia Foundation, and the Leukemia Research Foundation, among others
- Offer to help in other direct or non-direct ways
- Spread the word
Any type of childhood illness weighs heavily on one’s heart. When something like this happens to or around you, nothing else matters anymore. That which was “significant” (like your next commercial purchase, a trip, your job, etc.) suddenly is no longer on the map. It’s a time to re-evaluate ones priorities and go back to the core of what life is about, living. I realize that this post is far from what I normally write about, but these things need to be said…even SCREAMED OUT! So do that now. Think about what really matters in your life. I would think that many things would fall to the side.
HTD says: Spread the word about this post, about Leukemia, about Childhood disease; sitting around does nothing. Social media allows us to share to many and share quickly. Please do share this! And say another prayer while you do!
