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 Flinstone 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 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
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