Over the summer I signed up to be a "Birthday Angel" for little kids with cancer. In most cases cancer is terminal so I wanted to do something to make some child happy. I was lucky enough to get a very sweet and kind family that had a little boy named Eric (9 years old), who had Stage 2 Alveolar Rhabodmoysarcoma. Cancer is very devastating to everyone, even if their lives have never been touched by it, like me. I wanted to make Eric happy. I wanted to make him smile. I noted all of his favorite cartoon characters and all of the things that he loved to do. I even noted everything that his 12 year old sister liked and what his parents liked as well. My mama and I went to Wal*Mart one night and bought loads of stuff to make this loving family happy and to try and help them cope with all that was going on at the time.
Last night, I found out that Eric died on September 10, 2005. He died 3 days before his 10th Birthday. I was so sad. The presents that I got him were the only ones that he got to open because he was determined to wait until his official Birthday. This little boy that I don't even know has made me so happy. I got to do something for him that I have never done for anyone else. I made him happy and I made him smile, just like I wanted to do. Eric had a wonderfully bright smile and as far as I can tell, let NOTHING get him down. I have been touched by this family and I hope I have touched their lives as well.
Last night, I found out that Eric died on September 10, 2005. He died 3 days before his 10th Birthday. I was so sad. The presents that I got him were the only ones that he got to open because he was determined to wait until his official Birthday. This little boy that I don't even know has made me so happy. I got to do something for him that I have never done for anyone else. I made him happy and I made him smile, just like I wanted to do. Eric had a wonderfully bright smile and as far as I can tell, let NOTHING get him down. I have been touched by this family and I hope I have touched their lives as well.
Here are some pictures of Eric as he is opening his huge box of goodies from me. I love the one of him and the teddy bear.
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4 comments:
ahh Haley-- so sorry to read this.. but you know you made a difference in someones life and thats a big thing...
Thanks Vicki. I want to sign up to do it again, but I think I need to get over this first. He is in a MUCH, MUCH better place now and is no longer suffering though.
Bless his little heart. Priceless pics. How fortunate for you to get to know him and make a difference at the end of his journey here. I was thinking of joining the same organization but lost the link.
Here is the link Enda. It is a great program. http://www.cancerwarriors.org/angel.shtml
I want to join again, but I am still not ready. I wasn't ready for his death, no one was.
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