Happy Birthday Henry

Henry would have been 14 years old today.

Henry's birthday falls in Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and we have been distributing stickers and buttons that remember Henry and spread the word. May is also when the local Relay For Life occurs and we have prepared our white paper luminaires with Henry's name and likeness to line the walking track.

This June we will be traveling to Memphis to attend a day of remembrance at St. Jude. We hope to revisit some of Henry's favorite places - if we can bear.

Duke is also hosting a day of remembrance this summer. We are sending some photos to be included in their slide show, but uncertain if we can attend. Nevertheless, keeping Henry's memory and inspiration alive remains our constant desire.

Last week we attended a small service at the Children's Memorial Garden. The Memorial Garden is a lovely, well-cared for little space on the grounds of our local hospital. There is a circle of pavers engraved with the names of children to be remembered. We didn't even know about this worthy endeavor until we were contacted through the middle school a couple of weeks ago and offered Henry's original paver that was being replaced due to an incorrect font.

We met several parents who have lost children - many of whom died very suddenly and violently. It reminded us that - horrific as our situation was, and is, we at least had some time: time to devote to one another, time to enjoy life together, and time to tell each other (as often as we could) that we loved each other. That time was a precious gift...a gift we relive every single day.