Veterans day. A day honoring those that have fought to keep us safe. Those that walked into battle for the betterment of the rest of us. The brave. Heroes.
I can’t help it.. I don’t want to do it.. But all I can think is her. My Jennifer showed more strength and fight then I have ever seen in another human being. She didn’t want to die. . so she held on.. And fought for every moment and every breath. Cancer slowly took her.. stole her away.. And when she was gone she donated the beast inside her to save others. Her little body already endured so much.. but she still donated of herself .. 3 successful types of cell lines.
And I get mad. Its not cancer that stole her. Its the lacking of resources for those trying to find a cure… For her cancer, DIPG, even just a treatment option would be better than it is now.
Nothing. No chance.
Its my fault.. Childhood cancer is a real threat. The number one disease killer.. the number one killer behind accidents (how broad a term is that!) of our kids. I did nothing. Not a damn thing to protect my child. I scrolled past FB posts I am sure.. I never found out the information.. I made sure she was always buckled into her seat properly.. and cut up her food so she didn’t choke.
I never did anything though to protect her from cancer. From the tumor that stole her ability to even sit in a seat.. to swallow her food.
Listen. Share. I know its hard. I know its a strange thing to talk about. But its a real danger. One that I wish somebody had talked to me about before it was my daughter. Because times like right now the burden of guilt is crushing. And I am mad at my friends.. my family.. Why didn’t anybody tell me? Warn me?
Its not them though.. I know. Its me..Why didn’t I fight for her.. when she could have had a chance. Instead she was sent into battle unarmed.
It took pediatric cancer barreling through my doors to get me to take notice.
Be better. Do better than me. 12 types of pediatric cancer.. Tomorrow is the 12th, 9 months she has been gone. Give us 12. Do something .. share. Make people listen… You cannot make them be active.. but you can make sure they never say they didn’t know.
When Tony has a non-weekend day off of work we call that a ‘Daddy bonus day’. Today should have been a special day with all my kids.. No first grade classes.. a ‘Jennifer bonus day’
Instead.. its just another day of missing her. ..
her joy..her sparkle
Just like every single day of the rest of our lives.
…until there is a cure..
Doing what I can to make more people aware of the lack of funding, as well as the statistics. It doesn’t have to be like this, nor should it. No parent should ever endure this torture. Sending love.
Today I will honor Jennifer. Today I think of her even more and all of you. I will do my best to make sure people are aware about pediatric cancer. People need to be aware. I am so sorry Libby. We love Jennifer. We miss her and think about her everyday. We love you all. LOVE4JLK♡ FOREVER 6. Until there is a cure.
God Bless.
I’m so sorry, Libby. You have started a monster of a snow-ball rolling, and I know by the time you and this glitter squad is done, it will have busted through insurmountable obstacles. I wish I didn’t know all that you and Jennifer have taught me about pediatric cancer, but knowledge is power, and it’s the first step in making a change. You are phenomenal!
I am a grandmother, my children grown. Why am I saying this? Because I have grandchildren every bit as important to me as my children are. I didn’t scroll by Unravel Pediatrics because someone shared the site and it got to me. Childhood cancer affected my family before I was born, my Uncle Glenn passed away from Leukemia at age five. He is forever 5. I think what caught me the most was that so little has changed since his death until now. My eyes were opened as I learned about Jennifer and so many others fighting these horrible diseases.
So for Jennifer, for my grandchildren, I share, I talk about how little goes to children cancer funding. I may make myself a nusense, but I don’t care. If it brings awareness and money for funding I would dance on a tabletop, because that is how important this has become. Thank you for bringing awareness to me, thank you for sharing Jennifer. I wish she didn’t have to be, but she is my hero too! <3
Jennifer <3
Thinking of you all always.
XO
Thinking of all 6 of you. Every day… I had no idea. I do now… I will spread the glitter:)
Jennifer’s glitter is permanently stuck to me. I pray and I share
This is so sad, but thank you so much for the awareness you are sharing to help others <3. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
We will keep fundraising and awareness raising in Jennifer’s honor until this thing is done.