So soon after losing Daddy, we got more bad news yesterday. Joshua's other grandfather, (His bio-dad's father) has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer that has no treatment and they have given him 2-4 months to live. Not 10 minutes after receiving that news we got a phone call from Chad's cousin in Missouri and Chad's grandma (Jeannie, Alan's mom) is in the very end stages of her Alzheimer's and is on Hospice care and they are giving her two weeks , give or take. So much death. It makes it hard to put life into perspective, but if we believe what we say we believe, and this is a test of that for sure, but God is in control and everything happens for a reason.
I do plan on participating in Relay for Life again this year. Even more so than ever, and donating more than ever, because I dream of a world without cancer. That my children won't have to ever worry about being told they have 6 months to live because a disease is eating away their insides. Go to www.americancancersociety.org and consider making a donation yourself. Speaking of cancer...I was watching David Cook's performance from last night. Of course I love DC and he has been my pick for this year's idol since the auditions, but now for more reasons. His brother suffers from cancer and a friend showed me this story on Yahoo Answers today:
"there is a reporter in Florida whose daughter has leukemia. Here is her story and the reason that David wears
the orange bracelet.
My name is Charley, and I am the reporter in Tampa whose daughter has leukemia.She loves David Cook so much, I just had to mention it to him when I was interviewing him for the top 12. He was absolutely the most genuine person I think I have ever met in my life. He called Lindsey Rose and spoke such encouraging words to her. When I told him about the orange bracelet that I wear...he immediately asked for one. The fact that he followed through with his promise...and wears it on the air...is simply amazing. Such a simple gesture, but one that means so much. When my daughter sees that orange wristband on the air...she squeals...she dances...she sings...and she cheers. Most importantly, it gives her a great distraction....for a few moments, she doesn't have to think about anything related to cancer. She is seven years old, and was just diagnosed on Christmas Eve of last year. Needless to say, this has been devastating for her. Early on in this process, I had to leave the hospital and felt guilty about it. She looked up and told me "Do watcha gotta do Daddy." That has become the motto for our whole family and friends to help us get through this. She has two years of chemotherapy ahead of her...and hopefully at the end of all of that...we can say she is cured. Her favorite color is orange, and it just so happens, that turned out to be the official color of childhood leukemia awareness. So we made up wristbands that say "Do whatcha gotta do!" on one side, and Lindsey Rose on the other. I encourage all of you to use that motto in your own lives.
And I know David will use that motto to become a huge singing success. I don't care what happens on this TV show...he is already my Idol. And to little Lindsey Rose...he is forever a special friend...a person who took the time to care about someone other than himself."
I'll close with that. Just if you pray, lift up Chad's Grandma and Josh's Grandpa in your prayers and our families.
