Today Darrel would/could/should have turned 25...joining the "Quarter Century Club"...a "milestone moment" where an individual often examines and evaluates where they are in their life, and where they want to be in the future. Childhood Cancer and Neuroblastoma denied Darrel of ever having this kind of personal reflection, and denied all those who knew my son, the past nearly 18 years with him in our lives. In my 25th year, I would be married, start my first full time job, and Darrel's sister Kira would soon arrive. Of course, I had previous achievements before I reached that age, and have done some other noteworthy things since then, but we often look at the arbitrary date goalposts of being 25 and/or 50 as the standards to go by. I can gaze in amazement where both Kira and Lauren are in their respective lives today, but Darrel will remain Forever 7, and that will never change. Even after all this time, it still feels like yesterday...with the good, the bad, and the ugly.

With all the advances in Artificial Intelligence, there are countless Apps that can age or de-age any photo in mere seconds. While they are in no way completely accurate, I sometimes want to do this with a photo of Darrel. The problem is, once I see it, I can never unsee it! I never really thought I looked much like my father growing up, but going through old Family Albums now, I could swear it was me in those colourful 70s clothes...but it is not. I have seen different physical traits from each side of the family in both of my daughters, in varying degrees, over the years too. And even now, with my granddaughter, who just turned 1 last week, she looks so much like Lauren in some photos, and yet has facial expressions that are more like her father in a shot taken only minutes later. The whole Genetics, and Nature vs. Nurture can be quite fascinating to observe, but while somewhat curious, I would never be able to put that "Genie back in the Bottle" if I were ever to input that information into some AI program. Better to leave this option alone...for my own peace of mind.

As my memories of Darrel are frozen in time, today there will be Chicken McNuggets, Apple Juice, and a visit to Stait Park (the unofficial Home of Darrel's Playground). It was a bit more of a challenge to Ring Pops for his Birthday this year. Though they will never actually be consumed, sentimental (or demented) me still purchases new ones every May and September. Ever since the time that Darrel almost overdosed on Flintstone Vitamins, because his supply of Ring Pops ran out, I've always kept some on hand. I did eventually find some, which was a relief, as it probably would have bothered me on some level if I had been unsuccessful in my search. A 25 year old Darrel would have no desire in celebrating his birthday with any of things, but it's all I can do.

Happy Birthday Darrel

Love and Miss You Little Man

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Just A Reminder that the International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week will be taking place from June 9th to June 15th, 2025

http://www.facebook.com/NBawarenessweek 

Though it is a couple of days late, this is the customary May 26th Blog that I Post for Darrel's Birthday. As some of you may know, I recently became a first-time Grandpa, with the safe arrival of Lauren and Jacob's daughter Hannah. We were able to fly out to Alberta last week for a couple of days to meet the newest member of my family. This kind of brings Full Circle, as we found out Lauren was pregnant when we flew out there in the Fall.

There are no accurate words to describe holding your grandchild, less than a week old, for the first time. Beautiful, Precious, and Perfect may come close, but there is so much more to it than that. On top of that, it was also something unbelievable and surreal to see my daughter hold her own daughter, as they begin a loving and caring bond that will never break. It brought back memories of when each of my kids were that small and helpless, and how I somehow stumbled through it all, not necessarily knowing what to do, or how to do what needed to be done. Love and patience are all you have to get you through these early days, and Lauren and Jacob certainly have that in abundance for Hannah.

Of course, at Family Milestones such as this, I am also painfully reminded of who is no longer around to share in everything as it is now unfolding. My mother would now be a Great Grandma, and Darrel would be an Uncle! There never will be a chance for either of them to hold this new Bundle of Joy, and never be a Photo taken with all of us together. It is a fact of life that these things occur over time, but that doesn't make it any easier when you stop and think about it. 

​At age 24, which Darrel would be today, would he be getting ready to start a family of his own, living on the other side of town or the other side of the country, wanting to go to a Blue Jays game with me, or even know how to fix my car (I'm not very mechanically inclined. Lauren and Jacob are, but they are out in Alberta now)??? These kind of questions and the "what ifs" never go away, but when a major event like this happens, you can't help to ponder how different it would be if certain loved ones had not been taken from us much sooner than they should have been, but that is Life.

Happy Birthday Darrel

Love and Miss You Little Man


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Just A Reminder that the International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week will be taking place from June 10th to June 19th, 2024

http://www.facebook.com/NBawarenessweek 

For the last couple of years, I've reduced myself to doing Blogs only twice a year...Darrel's Birthday in May, and of course, every September 9th. Over the past 16 years, making these entries, along with occasionally re-reading Blogs I've made in the past, have sustained me in ways I can not possibly describe. That being said, I am finding it difficult to have anything new and/or relevant to write about at this time. Being "The Gatekeeper", more or less, of Memories of Darrel will always be a role I take great pride and care in fulfilling, and that will never change. Not a day goes by without some thoughts of Darrel entering my mind. The fact that his Urn sits on a dresser in my bedroom literally means he is the first and last thing I see every day, not to mention his scattered presence in my dreams throughout the week. For the most part, I find this strangely comforting. Keeping him in the here and now is almost as important (to me at least) as reflecting on everything about who he was to me, and to all those who knew and loved him.

I think most of us have an event or memory that is impossible for us to forget. These could be times of joy and/or personal achievement, or of sadness, personal loss, or even anger. My memories of Darrel embody all of these emotions, and so much more. Even now, a mere stray thought from back then can cause an unexpected wave of feelings to overcome me. This certainly does not mean that people should "walk on eggshells" around me, or avoid mentioning Darrel for fear of upsetting me. SAY HIS NAME...my son is as much a part of me today as he was during his ever so brief 7 years with us. There are so many happy things to recall about those years, and I try to dwell on them as much as I do on how and where it all concluded. I do not consider myself to be a "Prisoner of the Past", but to try and avoid and/or forget everything that happened...that would be a true crime! If a day ever comes when thinking about Darrel does not stir something inside me...that is the day I will know I need to seek professional help.

Love and Miss You Little Man

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so please consider turning your Social Media GOLD to honour all the children who have, are, and will battle one of the many forms of childhood cancer in the future.
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​Darrel would often call out "Freedom" when I arrived to take him Home after a lengthy stay at SickKids in Toronto, or Grand River in Kitchener. This of course, was preceded by usually telling me that I took too long to arrive, as he had been impatiently waiting for me to get there. At 4:06 PM, 15 years ago today, some would argue that Darrel received his Final Freedom. My son was now free from pain. free from suffering, and free from the utter Hell neuroblastoma had put him through for the previous two long years. More religious people than I would often say that Darrel was "now in a better place", or that "God had different plans for him", and/or "Called him Home early". How could there ever be a more "better place" for a 7-year-old boy than being with his family that loved him, and tried to do anything and everything they possibly could do to protect him and keep him safe?

Is this truly the kind of Freedom anyone would desire if given a choice? I am in no way trying to belittle those who find comfort and solace in their faith of choice, but after you cradle the small and frail body of your son seconds after his last breath, it is more than a struggle to try and find sense in it all, as if it was part of some Grand Design. That moment would, has, and is constantly redefining everything about who I was, and who I would become. It is unavoidable to not be altered in some way after dealing with that kind of loss. Whether a person attempts to move forward, by finding strength in embracing the pain, or by attempting to push the sadness of their loss away to cope with it all, it is a choice only that individual can make. Over these many years, I've been in contact with grieving parents that have traveled down each of these paths, along with many variations in between. It is not my place, or anyone else's, to question the moral rightness of any of these decisions, even if we can relate first-hand to some of what they have been through. After all, even 15 years later, I still have moments when I question my own actions and reactions, as the "What Ifs" never...ever completely go away.

As I mentioned in my last Blog, Darrel's sister Lauren was married this past June. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day in Hamilton, ideally perfect for the Royal Botanical Gardens location. Lauren and Jacob (but most likely it was more Lauren) had everything planned out to the last minute, and the last detail. Walking my daughter down the aisle was a very proud moment, yet it probably made me feel older than when I turned 50 in 2021! Lauren had taken extra care to include both Darrel and her Grandma Robb at the reception. In addition to mentioning them in her Speech, a "Wishing You Were Here" Memorial Table was set up in the Hall. This was a thoughtful and moving gesture for me, and especially my father. I had given him a 'heads-up" about her planning to do this, but hearing Lauren's words, and seeing the Photos was more overwhelming than he expected them to be. Later this month, it will be 5 years since my mother passed, and we all miss her deeply. For Lauren to set aside a part of her "Big Day" for them was simply amazing.

Another Milestone was reached a few days ago, as Darrel's dog Lady turned 17! There have been several serious health scares over the past couple of years, but Lady has shown great resilience, and somehow bounced back. Unfortunately, sooner or later, Old Age can and will catch up to her, but today is not that day.

Although it certainly doesn't look like much, and can't provide any real comfort at all, Lady often still curls up in the Classic Pooh Blanket that was on Darrel's bed from the time he was a baby. It is in complete tatters now, with little to none of the plush stuffing that once filled it, or have it's vibrant colours. I only wash it now by hand when needed, as I doubt it would survive a trip through the Washing Machine!

This is a connection between Darrel and Lady that the Blanket embodies to me, so I still keep it around. I doubt Lady shares any such memories of this Blanket after all this time, as she can barely see anymore, and any tangible tie to Darrel has long been removed over the many, many washes since it became one of the Dog Blankets. Yet, it means something to me, and that's all that really matters.

Thank You once again to everyone who continues to read these Blogs, and allowing me to share my thoughts and memories of Darrel with you all. 

Love and Miss You Little Man

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Here is my Blog about that day Darrel died. It is not a pleasant Read, but like many of my older entries, I do revisit it from time to time: http://www.darrelsplayground.com/blogs/sept-1507-the-day-darrel-died

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so please consider turning your Social Media GOLD to honour all the children who have, are, and will battle one of the many forms of childhood cancer in the future.

It might seem odd to some of you that I still feel the need to Blog on Darrel's Birthday, even though it has almost been 15 years since his passing, but it will always feel like it was yesterday to me. Grief is a very complex, delicate, yet simplistic emotion for anyone to contend with. There have been countless studies and books dedicated to the subject, but there is no one answer, and no right or wrong way to react to such a loss (though scholars claim to have it all figured out). I've said it many times before, and I'll say it yet again...The Day that remembering my son does not cause some kind of reaction is the Day I know I'll need to seek help and/or counseling. I'm not one to dwell or live in the Past, but I am certainly not one to bury or bottle it up either.

With less than a month to go before my daughter's Wedding, all the preparations Lauren and Jacob have made are falling into place. As expected, the stress levels and anxieties are also starting to rise for everyone involved.  Thankfully, there are almost no COVID related restrictions left in place to add any additional obstacles to the proceedings. Many of the usual hiccups have had to be dealt with along the way, as well as some more specific to our current family dynamics. I'm hopefully optimistic that all concerned can put aside their past/current differences, if only momentarily, so that Lauren's Big Day can go as smoothly as possible. 

The absence of departed Loved Ones are always felt most around Holidays and other Family Gatherings, so I was touched when the Bride told me that there would be a small Memorial Table set-up at the Reception Hall to remember both Darrel and my Mom (who passed away in 2017). It says a lot about how much of a young woman she has become to make sure they are included as well. Both Kira and Lauren had to endure a lot early in their lives, with the loss of their brother, and later, their parent's separation. The fact that they have grown, adapted, and thrived through it all is a great testament to how strong each of them is. Proud Father Moment to be sure!

Speaking of Lauren, when she turned 22 two years ago, she...er...serenaded us with an interesting Karaoke version of Taylor Swift's "22", along with a few other songs. I'll never what kind of music Darrel would have been listening to on his 22nd Birthday today, or if he would have liked performing Karaoke with his friends. I have quite a wide and diverse love of music, but this wasn't always shared by everyone back in the day, so it's impossible to guess which direction he would have gone. Over the years, there are a couple of songs that I have attached my memories of Darrel to, even though on the surface, there really isn't any connection to him at all. When I hear them on the radio or on my iTunes Playlist, they can stir up lots of different emotions, but as I said before, I'm glad they still can have some kind of impact on me. 

Thank You once again for taking a moment to help me remember Darrel on his birthday. Many reading this will have never met him, but may feel as though they did after reading some of my Blogs over the years.

Happy Birthday Darrel

Love and Miss You Little Man 

P.S. For some reason, Darrel often called Lauren "Mummer". No idea how he came up with that...but he did. 


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Just A Reminder that the International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week will be taking place from June 13th to June 19th, 2022

http://www.facebook.com/NBawarenessweek 

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Fourteen years ago today, everything changed, and my personal world would never be the same again. As our immediate and extended families were being overwhelmed by emotions with the loss of Darrel, word of his passing slowly made its way outside the walls of our Home. Friends called friends, who in turn called other friends. Back in 2007, Social Media and the way most people use the Internet were in their infancy, so even though Facebook may have existed, it certainly wasn't the inter-connected information network that it has become today. At times, I wish that I had had access to all the resources the Internet can provide back during Darrel's treatments...but these weren't readily available to me back then. I am now part of many Support Groups on Facebook, as they have assisted me in getting through some issues I have faced, and I'd like to think my insights have helped others along the way too. Talking with other parents who have travelled down the same unpleasant road as you can provide some solace, as well as guidance to possibilities you had not considered. That being said, there is an Ugly Side to Social Media, which seems to be growing stronger and more prevalent as of late. People who know basically nothing about a given situation hide behind their computer keyboards to weigh in with their unsolicited opinions and advice, as though they are experts on the matter at hand. And for this reason, I'm quite glad that Social Media was not the intrusive behemoth it is today.

This has been especially true lately here in Fergus, after an incident in the very Apartment Building that I live in. Without going into all the details, I'll just say that there was a disturbance with a young man contending with varying levels of mental illness that resulted in a stabbing, a Police shooting, and the death of the young man in question. In a world where Social Media is everywhere, Posts about what people "believed" had happened were on Newsfeeds around the town, country, and even world before this individual's family were aware of anything at all. This is not the way to find out about something befalling your Loved Ones.  Their personal tragedy was made even worse by the Comments and Opinions by people, with absolutely no first-hand knowledge of the altercation (or those physically involved in it) on these Social Media Pages. I was at Work the day everything unfolded, but I have since talked to many of those that WERE here, and even now, I don't have a perfectly clear understanding, yet there are those claiming they have all the data they need to make an "informed opinion". There are those that question how the Police handled the confrontation, but most are extremely harsh on the family of the young man...claiming they could and should have done more, without having a clue as to what steps they had taken, and the struggles they had been dealing with before these 'Know-It-Alls' had ever heard of the young man's name! Talk about kicking someone when they are already down!

As I Grieving Parent, I can certainly sympathize with what an emotional upheaval they are going through, and will probably continue to go through for the rest of their lives. Of course, the way Darrel was taken from us is drastically different from how they lost their son, yet the end result is a young life was lost far too soon, and the questions of "Why" and "What If" will always be with them every waking moment, and linger in their subconscious minds while they sleep. I know we did everything we could for Darrel, but that doesn't stop me from believing that there could have been something...seemingly big or insignificantly small, that if we had proceeded differently, we could have saved him. This has been a part of my daily existence for the last 14 years. Fortunately, my internal struggle with this are not constantly being piled onto like this poor man's family is enduring. Only they know what steps they took, when they took them, and why they took them. They definitely don't need some strangers questioning and second-guessing their decisions, and being accused of not caring enough to act by those who seem to feel they know better...after the fact.

I am by no means against Social Media, as I would be the first to admit I spend far too much time on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok every day, but I do wish there would be some boundaries that Commenters wouldn't cross. In some of my Blogs, I do probably open-up, and share more than I should, but there are ways they can respond both honestly and respectfully at the same time. People are entitled to holding different opinions, but preaching about them with some kind of false and absolute authority is totally unacceptable. Perhaps, during this COVID era, much of society has forgotten how to interact with others in a civilized and decent manner, if that ever really existed in the first place. Whether the debate is on Politics, Religion, or what to have for dinner, we can agree to disagree without degrading those who have another perspective on an issue.

In the greater scheme of things, there is usually more that unites us than divides us. You would think that supporting childhood cancer research would be one such cause, but many would rather turn their heads, and hope it goes away on its own. This is both foolish and counter-productive, but also one of the reasons we hold Childhood Cancer Awareness Month every September, along with International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week every June. We all have viewpoints that we support, and these are definitely two close to my heart.

Thank You for remembering Darrel today.

Love and Miss You Little Man


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As COVID-19 continues to evolve, mutate, and alter what societies around the world consider to be the "New Normal" for their populations, I still constantly cast my gaze back to May 26, 2000...the day Darrel was born. While I am not stuck in the past, a large part of my conscious and unconscious mind will remain firmly placed within those brief seven years Darrel was with us. I would certainly never try to diminish anyone's grief over their loss of a loved one, but losing a child is on a completely different scale. A parent's sole purpose is to protect and nurture their child, through all that may come their way, all the joys and pains...and every moment in between. The death of a child, especially at a young age, is utterly devastating, but the grief also comes layered with a sense of guilt and defeat. What could and should I have done differently??? What if this action was taken or not taken....Would the outcome have been changed...Would my son still be with me today???  I know we did everything we could for Darrel, but there will always be the same nagging question...Could we have done more???  These are the thoughts that I live with daily, but I allow myself to openly consider them at least every May 26th and September 9th.  It may not be healthy to always dwell on those times, but I truly feel that to not think about them at all would definitely cause more harm to me in the long run.

On a happier note, I am pleased to announce (for those of you not on Facebook) that Darrel's sister Lauren got engaged back in November 2020! This was/is Great News, and I certainly wish to congratulate Lauren and Jacob, and offer them All My Best for their Future together!!  As with almost everything nowadays, COVID will play a significant role in deciding how and when their  forthcoming wedding will unfold. Regardless of all that is happening around them, it is reassuring to see that people are still living in the moment, and dreaming of their futures the way only young couples in love can do.

Kira has been accepted to the Masters Program at Brock University, and will continue her studies there in the Fall. Thanks to her excellent grades, she has received many Scholarships and Grants along the way, so her hard work on her educational endeavours has provided some financial benefits along the way too. Another Proud Father Moment to be sure! When all that is said and done, she will have actually spent 21 consecutive years in School!! Don't think she really appreciated that fact after I pointed it out, but it's True (Funny how it seems...Optional). 

I could also not escape the passage of time and personal reflection last month, as I celebrated my 50th Birthday! I remember how old I thought my father was when he turned 50 in 1996, but reaching that milestone myself...it isn't that old at all! I should add, that even to this day, my father expects a call to tell him I've made it Home safely if I've been driving a long distance out of town! He is still always looking out for me now, regardless of how old I get, or even how old he gets.

While so much is behind me (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly), there is so much to look forward to as well. With the Love and Support of my family and friends, I embark ready to embrace whatever Life happens to send my way...but not so many Curve Balls please! A Special Thanks go out to Kim, Kira, and Lauren for the Birthday/Easter Combo Party they held for me that weekend. With all the COVID Restrictions in place, I'm sure it was more of a challenge than it otherwise would have been. 

On what would have /could have/should have been Darrel's 21st Birthday, it is hard to even begin to imagine what his life would look like today...along with how all of our lives would have been dramatically different if he had not been taken from us back in 2007. All that we ever were, and all that we would ever be was set on a different course on the day in 2005 when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. But today is his birthday, so I'll focus on happier times, yet be saddened that the opportunity to make new memories with my son were forever stolen from me and our family.

A Parent's Love should not change with the passage of time. Kira, Lauren and Darrel are as much in my heart and in my thoughts as the day each of them were born. Of course, Blogs like this are really only express those emotions as far as Darrel is concerned, but that certainly does not mean they are any greater or lesser than for my daughters. For those that would say different...they don't really know me, or know what being a true parent actually is all about!

Happy Birthday Darrel

Love and Miss You Little Man

"In the back of my mind
You live all the time
In the back of my mind
Every night, Every day
That's where you still play
In the back of my mind"

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Just a Reminder that International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week is just around the corner: June 14th - June 20th, 2021

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Darrel's Playground is just about to reach 55,000 Hits. Thank You for your continued Support.

Without much doubt, for the majority of us, 2020 has unfolded, and continues to play-out in ways nobody could have thought possible. All the hopes, dreams, and well thought out plans for this year were soon to laid to waste by the fear, paranoia and the realities caused by COVID-19, as well as the fallout from our respective government's actions, reactions, and/or inactions. As people we know and love took ill and/or died, there was, and also is, a huge financial toll on both businesses and individuals throughout the World. No one could have expected all that has happened since late February, nor does anyone have a Crystal Ball to show them what is to come in the near future. Will there be a Vaccine??? Will there be a Second Wave during the Flu Season???

On a certain level, this strangely reminds me of how 2007 was for my family. The year began with a small sense of optimism, with Darrel working with a tutor to potentially go back to school, not as many extended hospital stays, and all five of us spending more time under the same roof than apart for the first time in a long time. We all were aware that there would be many hurdles still to overcome, but for an ever brief time, we almost came to believe that we could be one of the more fortunate families battling against neuroblastoma. The Scan results from early February, and even worse information at Easter time were both brutal and devastating reminders that childhood cancer knows no limits, and rarely shows any mercy.

I have discussed much of what happened during those last few months in previous Blogs, but needless to say, a great many of those hours, days and months are full of moments that blur together in a soupy haze, while others consist of memories that I can still remember in every precise and painful detail 13 years later. After Darrel's death on September 9, 2007, as we attempted to pick up the shambles of our forever broken family, we had no idea how we would cope, or what a "new normal", a normal missing Darrel, could/would/or should even look like. How would this affect my marriage??? How would Kira and Lauren be able to come to terms with losing their brother??? Questions without Answers...for many of us, that is what 2020 has become, much like 2007 was for my family. And just as there will be potential repercussions of COVID to our society for many years to come, adapting to having Darrel taken far too early from us drastically altered the path our lives seemed to be heading before we ever heard the word "neuroblastoma". Both of these are years that I would much sooner forget ever existed, but that is not the way of things. Time does NOT heal ALL wounds, and it seldom lets you choose what to remember and what it allows you to forget.

On Monday, Darrel's dog Lady celebrated her 15th Birthday! I never was much of a "Dog Person", but shortly after he was diagnosed, Darrel, said he wanted a dog, so that is when Lady came into our family. She may be partially blind now, has a few medical issues customary to small breed dogs, and not as sure of her footing as she once was, but Lady is still pretty much the same dog she was when Darrel with still with us. I often think back to Darrel's Visitations at the Funeral Home, and how Lady just curled up on one of Darrel's blankets we had placed up by his Urn. You could almost tell that she knew that she would never ever see her Best Friend again, and she was trying to remain as dignified and calm as she could, for fear of being taken elsewhere. Every once in a while she would wander around and check out, and even greet some of the long line-up of visitors, but would slowly and quietly make her way back to Darrel's side...one last time. I don't recall her ever barking, growling, becoming unsettled or even needing out during that time, but that was one of the more blurry moments after Darrel's passing for me. To this day, I am still so amazed and thankful that the Funeral Home had been so accommodating and insightful from the moment they heard that Darrel had died (and even before, as one of the Funeral Directors lived just down the street from us, and could tell by the comings and goings from our place that we would be contacting him soon).  I have never heard of or seen a dog present at a Funeral before or since. It may seem like a small and insignificant gesture, but for my family, it a huge difference.

Later this month, on September 25, it will mark 3 years since my mother passed away. The Love and Bond between a parent and a child is unmatched by anything, but a close second is that between a grandparent and their grandchildren. My Parents (Grandpa and Grandma with the Car according to Darrel) had been there to help us with each of the kids whenever we needed them.  It was a bit more difficult at first, when we lived in Brantford and Barrie with Kira, but we were back in Fergus again before Lauren and Darrel were born. There was Pure Joy in their faces every opportunity they had to share with my kids. This was even more true after Darrel was diagnosed with cancer. My Parents took a more active role in keeping a regular routine for my girls when Darrel and his mother were at SickKids in Toronto. As I was working steady Nights, the girls would sleep and spend a great deal of their time with my mother and father. My mother would also help out with the cooking, cleaning, and laundry duties, while still being at her work Full Time, and maintaining their own house too. For some families this would be way too much to ask, but not for mine...and I never even had to ask. They were there then, they were there when things fell apart with Darrel's mother in 2014, and are still there continuing to look out for me and the girls in 2020! Miss You Mom!!

In closing, I encourage everyone to try and find some Positive in all that happens in their daily lives. Whatever it is, there is a good chance that it may never happen exactly like that again. Things can occur beyond our ability to control, fix, or even avoid. If I were to have focused solely on the Negative, I would be bitter, and of little use my daughters or to anyone else...including myself! This is often easier said than done, but I can speak from experience, it is a worthy goal to try and achieve.  Thank You.

Love and Miss You Little Man

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Please consider turning your Social Media Profile Gold to honour, remember, and support all the children who are literally in a fight for their lives. 

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