Monday, April 1, 2013

A Flower for a Friend

Today, April 1, is always a very difficult day for my family--there is nothing funny about the day.  Ten years ago today, our grandson, Nathan, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.  He was 2 1/2.  He was a courageous fighter for 4 1/2 years before he lost the battle.  He suffered through many treatments, surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, trips to Denver and New York City for care.  He had great pain and a beautiful smile.  Cancer was all he knew for most of his life.


During that time, there were many people, many people, who reached out a loving hand--a hand of friendship, courage, support, gifts, love, tears, smiles, and did I mention the tremendous amount of love my family felt?  We will always have Nathan with us.  We carry him in our hearts as do many that were touched by him during those most difficult years.

                                                                 (Easter 2007)

Today, I spent the better part of the day working on a quilting project for another cancer victim.  The son-in-law of one of my very good Red Hat friends has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatments.  His outlook does not look promising, and yet, many people are supporting him just as our family was supported when Nathan was sick.  Prayer is a very powerful tool.  Many of us are now praying for Dan.  On Saturday, there will be a benefit to help him and his family with the many bills that accumulate with cancer treatments.  My quilting project today is for Dan, for his benefit.  I don't think it will bring a lot of money, but it will show my love and support for my friend and her family--and every little bit helps--financially and emotionally when you and your family are in the cancer battle.



Good luck to Dan and Lois and the rest of the family.  Many prayers and blessings are flowing your way.


                            Tomorrow, I will donate blood--just another way to pay it forward.

9 comments:

  1. My heart breaks for you and your family and the loss of that sweet, sweet faced boy. Your quilt is a beautiful donation for a wonderful cause.

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  2. Oh heavens...holding back the tears as I read this post. It hurts when anyone is suffering, but a child shouldn't go through this. It pains me tho think of what you all went through....prayers are with Dan.

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  3. ahhh you certainly touched my heart . having lost children to illnesses and seeing them suffer is just too much to bear for anyone. Your wee Nathan's lesson to all of us is to make the most of each day...don't waste one moment of it...I am glad he still lives in your heart and he always will..all you need to do is place your hand on your heart .you will feel him....
    I love the potted flowers..a great reminder that there is always hope...if nothing else! Surely others will see that too...it may very well fetch a good dollar!

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  4. So much for such a wee little one to bear. What a trial your family went through. Your quilt project is wonderful and it will surely help the cause.

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  5. My heart is breaking for you and your family. I have only one grandchild, and I cannot fathom having to deal with the loss of him. I am afraid I would not hold up well at all. He is the light of our lives right after our children. We love him so much!!! Prayers and thoughts going out to you.

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  6. Also need to schedule to give blood again.

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  7. Your love live on and so does his! Praying for your family and the man named Dan for healing! Sometime I wish I could step through this screen and give someone like you a big hug. So consider yourself hugged! I do love the quilt and hope it fetches lots for Dan's family. Your grandson pictures are beautiful!

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  8. My mother had a glioblastoma - a tough diagnosis and an even tougher battle that lasted only one year. My heart goes out to you and to this family and my prayer is for strength, healing and grace. blessings, marlene

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