Darrel is remembered every minute of every day of the year, but mostly on September 9th.  Over the other 364 days, I can often find some happy memories to focus on about his brief 7 years with us, but today...today I allow myself to be sad...and I am fully entitled to be!  Parents who have lost a child NEVER "Get Over It", and Society's inability to understand this is THEIR loss...which THEY need to Get Over!  Though most are good intentioned, there are some that are really more concerned about THEIR Comfort Level than the well being of the person they are claiming to support.  If listening to me talk about my son makes someone feel that uncomfortable, which one of us actually has a problem???  Many of the World's Problems today could be easily solved if people would only worry about how they live their own lives, and not oppose and/or dictate the choices made by others whom they will never even meet. Sounds almost too simple, doesn't it.

It's now been 12 years since the day Darrel was taken from us, and I still take this week off for vacation every September.  I don't expect to be overwhelmed by emotion, but if it does bubble to the surface, I have a right to feel the way I feel.  I have a good idea what my triggers are, but a stray comment, or a familiar sight, sound or smell (especially at) this time of year could affect me in unforeseen ways, so I put a little safe distance in there as a buffer zone.  Being Sad is not unhealthy, unwise, unmanly, or uncommon...it is Human.  The day I wake up and don't feel a sense of loss...THAT will be the day I will seek professional assistance.  

I have 3 children...Kira, Lauren and Darrel. I think about each of them all the time. Like most parents, I fondly recall the day they were born, their first words and the many other firsts that would follow. Like most parents (should), I have had dreams and aspirations for each of my children, and have always looked forward to sharing the dreams and goals that they have set for themselves.  Neuroblastoma may have limited the time I was given to share with Darrel, but it certainly will never negate the fact that he is still as much a part of me today as he was the first time I held his small, frail and innocent hand...or the very last time I held his small, frail and innocent hand, twelve years ago today. I will NEVER "Get Over It", and I will NEVER Let Go!

Love and Miss You Little Man 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Please consider changing your Social Media Profiles to Gold for this month. Anything you can do to help make a difference is greatly appreciated. Together Towards A Cure

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Speaking of Darrel's sisters: Kira has returned to Brock University for her firth year/first year of Teacher's College. She has also been accepted to serve as a Campus Head Resident for the second time.  Good Luck and Congratulations Kira!

Lauren is continuing her apprenticeship at Linamar in Guelph, as well as taking courses at Conestoga College.  She has also recently purchased a house with her boyfriend, and is looking forward to all the adventures that are in her future.  Good Luck and Congratulations Lauren!

It should be added that Darrel's dog Lady celebrated her 14th Birthday a couple of days ago, on September 7th.

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The 2019 International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week was held on June 10 - 16, 2019.  Darrel's Playground was once again proud to assist in this Global Effort as on the Administrators.  Thank You to all who joined us this year.

This Website recently surpassed 48,000 Hits on August 30, 2019.  Thank You All!

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On September 1, 2019, I was at City Hall in Cambridge for the Official Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Flag being raised, as well as the City Sign turning Gold for September.  Thank You to Anita and everyone involved in organizing this event.  It is both unfortunate (that it is needed) and somewhat comforting (that such a resource is available) to have a group like Go Gold Cambridge so close to my area.

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I will be selling Raffle Tickets to help support Go Gold Cambridge and their families all through September...which of course is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

1st Prize: All Inclusive Trip for 4 (Value $8,000.00)

2nd Prize: Sunwing Travel Voucher (Value $2,000.00)

3rd Prize: Weekend away at Niagara on the Lake

Tickets are: 1 for $10, 3 for $20 or 10 for $50

If you are interested, please let me know. For Out of Area people, it is possible to do an eTransfer, and I can send you a photo of your numbered Tickets. Thank You

More Information at: https://www.facebook.com/GoGoldCambridge/

Email me: darrelsplayground@yahoo.ca

​Another May 26th has arrived, with no Birthday Boy to celebrate it with...but if Darrel was still here, he would certainly be a Birthday Man! Though I'm sure he would have snuck a beer (or more) before today, he would be able to go out to a bar and legally drink with his friends for the first time legally tonight.  I've never been a Drinker myself (except for that one weekend at Sauble Beach...Thanks Michelle), so the stereotypical Father and Son sharing a drink together likely wouldn't have happened anyways, but I probably would have made an exception on this particular day.  Like so many things, I'll never know.

Many people On-Line have been complaining recently about how they feel cheated and disappointed about the Games of Thrones Series Finale last weekend...but at least the characters from Westeros were given some kind of a conclusion to their saga over the eight Season run of the show (whether you were satisfied with it or not).  Darrel was not even given eight years with us...leaving us with Pages..No...Chapters...No...BOOKS left unwritten!  The Series often foreshadowed what was to come further down the road, but when Darrel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at only the age of 5, there was so much potential that was to remain hidden, and never given a chance to reveal itself to anyone.  There will be no Brienne to complete Jaime's entry in the Kingsguard Chronicle, or no hope that George R.R. Martin will give the story arc a different ending when he finishes writing his final two books.  I've always had high aspirations for Kira, Lauren and Darrel, but with my son's journey coming to such a premature end,  it is almost impossible to guess what the roads he was meant to travel down could, would, and more importantly...SHOULD have been. 

Since my last Blog, both Kira and Lauren, as always, have continued to make me proud, as they blaze a trail on their own into the future.  Kira has now completed her fourth year at Brock University, with Honours, and will be back in St. Catharines in the Fall to attend Teacher's College.  With all the recent cuts to education by the Ontario Government, I hope the situation has reversed itself, or at least been stabilized by the time she graduates in two years time.  Lauren is continuing her Millwright Apprenticeship in Guelph, and has been enrolled in more courses at Conestoga College for the Fall Semester.  Keeping her passion for the Sport alive, Lauren's Baton Evolution from Athlete, to Coach to Judge has happened since my last entry.  Though she no longer needs me to drive her to the Competitions, or be there in the Stands to cheer her on, I still pop in to the odd event to catch up with the extended Superstar Family, and see Judge Lauren in action too. THAT is what Family is about...being there in the Good Times and the Bad, regardless if you are asked to be around, or if your presence is really required at all.

Today will be a day of McNuggets and Memories, and a day of Tears and Smiles.  Remembering the day Darrel was born is forever linked with the day he died...and all the far too short time in between those dates are treasured memories to me, and my family.  So Raise Your Glass to Darrel today.  Though he could legally have a beer now, I'll stick to his old favourite...Apple Juice.

Happy Birthday Darrel

Love and Miss You Little Man

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Our Darrel's Playground Website surpassed 47,000 Hits on May 21, 2019.  Thanks to everyone who has stopped by.  Obviously there isn't much new content anymore, but the Visits are appreciated all the same. 


International Neuroblastoma Awareness Week is coming soon: June 10th - June 16th, 2019

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