Sad Halloween

Last Halloween, my next door neighbor was about to celebrate her first wedding anniversary and about to deliver her first baby. Through all the tricker-or-treaters, we talked about the baby and my adoption. We were excited about how much fun it will be this year to take Brady and Sofia around to the neighbors in their costumes. We even made a pact that the husbands would have to stay behind and hand out the candy while we went around together. What a difference a year makes. Sofia never came. Brady came and what a joy it has been to see him grow and change. Then in February, his dad (Corrine's husband) went in to the hospital. He had a tumor on his esophogas and spots on his liver. He went through chemo treatments. It looked like things were headed in the right direction. He was looking healthy. He had to go in for surgery. Once they opened him up, they sewed him back up and said the cancer is back. He would have to go through chemo again. They were hopeful until this Saturday. He was taken to the hospital. He might not live to next week. So this Halloween, Corrine did not get to take her son trick-or treating on his first Halloween. She is facing something no one should face at such a young age. Their life together was just beginning. Everytime I think of how tragic it is, it is all I can do, not to cry. He is only 35 years old. They have only been married for two years. His son is only one years old. He was one of the good ones. He was a gentle giant. He was tall and robust. He was friendly. Our kitchen windows face each other. During the winter, when I couldn't see Brady all the time, Chet would bring him to the window so I could see him. He always had a smile and a kind word. Life is so precious. It makes you stop think about how we should live in such a way that we don't take life's moments for granted. You never know when your life might be cut short. So don't forget to say "I love you" to your someone special and tell them that you are glad they are part of your memories.