At a recent Hugs for Brady event a man asked my wife Sherrie and me if we still cry over the loss of Brady. My immediate thought was something I should just keep to myself. This guy’s lack of sensitivity while just awful pales in comparison to the woman who told Sherrie and me; “I know what you’re feeling, my cat recently died.”
Trying to adequately explain the extent of my feelings about the death of Brady is way beyond my intellectual or emotional abilities. There isn’t a day, an hour and sometimes a moment that goes by where the thoughts of our baby rush through me with a paralyzing force. I can’t breathe, my heart fills with an emotional sadness I’ve never knew was possible. And as debilitating as my emotions can be, I can only imagine that Sherrie’s are infinitely greater; no woman could ever be a better Mother and no woman as wonderful as Sherrie should ever lose a baby. Yes sir, I still cry and yes, madam (with all due respect to the ASPCA) I really don’t give a damn about your cat!
Today, August 21st Brady would have been celebrating his 4th birthday. It’s a bitter sweet time for us; on one hand Brady’s birthday brings a smile to my face and on the other hand a tear to my eyes. Recently we were blessed with the arrival of 2 beautiful, healthy baby boys; Gavin & Logan. We could not be happier and it’s wonderful to watch Sherrie’s nurturing skills take hold. Brady would have been a terrific big brother and I am sure he is very happy for us.
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That’s the joyous side; the sad side of this day is, it just about 3 years ago when Brady was diagnosed with leukemia and 3 years later not much has changed. Research programs for childhood cancers are still woefully under funded, 13,500 new cases of childhood cancers are still being reported each year, 40,000 kids are still battling for their lives and not one new drug has been released in over 20+ years. Yes, and sad to say children are still dying. That’s the wretched side of this horrible monster called childhood cancer.
As a society, we can do better than this and we must. So, today in honor of our son Brady and in support of the 40,000 fighting cancer hug someone and let them know it’s Brady’s Birthday and that childhood cancer took him from us way too soon. Maybe just maybe the more people find out about this disease we will finally put an end to it. Happy Birthday; Bear…
