The other man
So, on my trip with the pediatric cancer group, I fall in love about a hundred times over.
Let me tell you about Kevin. Little for his age, shy, on the edge of things, wanting to fit in, but not quite like the more out going kids.
And like all of them, he is as cute as a button.
Kevin had brain cancer, which I am sure is a large reason his social skills are a little immature.
He was hanging out on the fringes of the dance floor, watching the "cool kids" who were busting a move. He was also watching the dorky adults having way too much fun without enough rhythm.
A slow song came on, and I grabbed Kevin and asked him to dance with me. Well, maybe I told him he was going to dance with me. Whatever. He lit up, just the same. At first he was quiet, and I asked if he would rather dance with a cute girl his age. He emphatically shook his head and said he wanted to dance with me. We chatted, and he told me what a great time he was having on this trip because he knew more kids and he was healthier. (His type of cancer often comes back. We've lost several kids to this particular brain cancer.)
Kevin hated having his picture taken. A lot of the brain cancer kids seem to have this same reaction. It is a shame, because you know their parents can't get enough pictures of these angels. When the photographer asked to take our picture, he hid his face. I told him I was going to want to always remember dancing with such a cool kid, and I really, really wanted a picture of us on the dance floor. He gave a big smile to the camera and the photographer snapped a great shot. She told me it was one of the few pictures she was able to get of him over the course of the trip. I know his mom will love see him on that dance floor, even if it is with some strange lady wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a grass skirt over her capris. (Give me a break...it was a beach-themed party!)
The last day we sign each other's t-shirts, and Kevin signed mine, "BFF".
Too cute, huh?
LAL heard all about Kevin, and teased me that I am HIS woman, but Kevin is allowed to be my dance partner, since LAL doesn't dance. Ever.
When he saw Kevin's picture, he saw what a special guy Kevin is.
He totally understands why I say that Kevin is my other sweetheart.
Let me tell you about Kevin. Little for his age, shy, on the edge of things, wanting to fit in, but not quite like the more out going kids.
And like all of them, he is as cute as a button.
Kevin had brain cancer, which I am sure is a large reason his social skills are a little immature.
He was hanging out on the fringes of the dance floor, watching the "cool kids" who were busting a move. He was also watching the dorky adults having way too much fun without enough rhythm.
A slow song came on, and I grabbed Kevin and asked him to dance with me. Well, maybe I told him he was going to dance with me. Whatever. He lit up, just the same. At first he was quiet, and I asked if he would rather dance with a cute girl his age. He emphatically shook his head and said he wanted to dance with me. We chatted, and he told me what a great time he was having on this trip because he knew more kids and he was healthier. (His type of cancer often comes back. We've lost several kids to this particular brain cancer.)
Kevin hated having his picture taken. A lot of the brain cancer kids seem to have this same reaction. It is a shame, because you know their parents can't get enough pictures of these angels. When the photographer asked to take our picture, he hid his face. I told him I was going to want to always remember dancing with such a cool kid, and I really, really wanted a picture of us on the dance floor. He gave a big smile to the camera and the photographer snapped a great shot. She told me it was one of the few pictures she was able to get of him over the course of the trip. I know his mom will love see him on that dance floor, even if it is with some strange lady wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a grass skirt over her capris. (Give me a break...it was a beach-themed party!)
The last day we sign each other's t-shirts, and Kevin signed mine, "BFF".
Too cute, huh?
LAL heard all about Kevin, and teased me that I am HIS woman, but Kevin is allowed to be my dance partner, since LAL doesn't dance. Ever.
When he saw Kevin's picture, he saw what a special guy Kevin is.
He totally understands why I say that Kevin is my other sweetheart.
posted by Beth at
10:07 PM
2 Comments:
The kids I work with through both charities mean the world to me. I see them as precious gems.
So when some idiot spammer tried to sell something on my post about these kids, it moves from merely annoying to flat out pissing me off!
I deleted the offending post.
By
Beth, at 11:36 AM
Beth,
This brought tears to my eyes.
It takes a very special person to do what you do.
I don't know if I could ever do it. I don't know if I could ever deal with the loss.
Just to know that you made a very sick kid smile, that is thanks enough, isn't it?
By
Anonymous, at 11:39 AM
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