Monday, October 24, 2011
Cancer sucks.
Although this weekend was parents weekend and it was great to see my parents and my sister, my week has not been off to a great start. Sunday, October 23rd, marked the 6th year anniversary of my cousin passing away from brain cancer when he was just 5 years old. Because of this I now for the past two summers have worked at a day camp for children with cancer and their siblings. The camp is amazing and I absolutely love it. I can't imagine my life with out it, I have made so many friends and memories there that I will never forget. Unfortunately, with working at a camp like that there is always that knowledge that there can be bad news any second. While I was on Facebook, and that little red (1) tag popped up over my inbox's I was not expecting the message to be from the director of my camp, Michele. When I saw the heading of the letter ('A Sad Note from Michele') I knew it was bad news. She only uses that heading when a camper has passed away. I was scared to open the inbox and see who it was but I knew I had to. I didn't read any of the message just looked for the name. When I saw the name my heart stopped and I immediately started crying. The camper who passed away was my campers sister. Even though I only met her once, Taylor, was an amazing girl and I know her sister, Jordan, (my camper) loved her so much. Jordan would always talk about Taylor, and how much better she was getting and how she was going to be back at camp next summer. (She was too weak to attend camp this past summer). All of our campers used to sign our staff shirts and Jordan always signed hers, Taylor, Sierra (her other sister), and Jordan love you. I am wearing that shirt now. I can only imagine how Jordan reacted to finding out about Taylor and it breaks my heart to think of it. She idolized Taylor. I know how hard it must be especially for all of the girls being so young, but just like my cousin and my sister and I were young when my other cousin passed away I know they will get through this and keep their memories with them forever. <3
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This post honestly made me tear up. It's great that you have taken the experiences you have gone though, losing your cousin, and turned it into something to help others. It definitely helps the campers knowing that you are there for them, no matter what. Personally, I lost my grandmother to brain cancer, and one of my cousins also passed away at a young age. It is hard to get through, and you will always have the anniversary of their death at the fore front of your days, but knowing that you can help others going through similar experiences may make things a little easier.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us. I admire you for sharing this story with other people, people who might have gone through a similar situation. I can imagine that your openness could be a stepping stone for those people who try block away their emotions, even though it is very clear that they need to open up to someone about their feelings.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really touching and I'm so sorry to hear that. I work at a camp for inner city kids, who are often in foster care or don't have a good home life. Like your camp, for these kids the summer is some of the best experiences of their childhood and really make a difference and when you get tragic news, like you did or when I hear a camper is being abused, it really breaks your heart. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLittle Red
I think that are you are really brave for sharing this with everyone! Letting everything out will probably help you get through this too. I also think it is admirable that you worked at a camp for children with cancer. I had two cousins both with lukemia, and one is thankfully alive and healthy today. I would love to work at a camp like the one you work at!
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