Today is Joseph’s Birthday and I tell you this because… He is not here for the big party of turning “10” but we will celebrate his life the best way that we know how. His contagious smile and zest for life is forever embedded in my heart. I frequently think back to the day that it was raining and he wanted to go outside. I said, “Not now. When it stops raining we can go out.” A few minutes went by and I heard the back door opening. When I looked out the window I saw Joseph with his fireman raincoat and his little umbrella singing and dancing in the rain on the deck.”  I thought, boy, nothing is going to stop this kid from having fun. “Bring on the Rain” then became our family song.

There are too many children, just like Joseph, that are still fighting their battle with cancer.  In fact, it is estimated in 2009 that 10,730 (below the age of 14) will be diagnosed with cancer in the US. Also estimated, is the 1,380 deaths that will occur from this disease. That is 1,380 sets of parents that will be diagnosed with a life-long disease called “grief.”  The good news is… since 1975 the number of deaths has decreased by almost 50%.

Please join me and my family in celebrating his life whether it be donating blood, or donating to a childhood cancer organization so that we can bring these statistics to a comfortable level.  If you do not have a charity… let one of these be the one:  www.joeysbloodbuddies.org, helping children and families cope and www.alexslemonade.org, childhood cancer research.

Happy Birthday Joseph! You have taught me so much about life. I am forever changed without you and some days I struggle to hold my head high, but I try to do it like you showed me… “Bring on the rain, tomorrow is another day…”