| When September rolls around, I look like any other | | | | know why the supply lists include tissues. |
| haggled parent standing in the checkout with three kids. | | | | Just the other day while joining other parents and |
| The shopping cart is filled with packs of pencils, note | | | | children in the "shopping for school supplies frenzy," a |
| paper, crayons, markers and tissues. | | | | woman noticed the gold ribbon pinned to my t-shirt. |
| "Why do we need to buy tissues for school?" my | | | | "What's gold for?" she asked. "I know that pink is for |
| kindergartener asked last year. | | | | breast cancer." |
| I pictured a whole class of five-year-olds with runny | | | | "Children," I said. "Gold because our children are golden |
| noses and was tempted to reply, "So kids won't use | | | | to us." |
| their sleeves." But I chose the logical, "For when your | | | | I half expected her to show shock or horror, being one |
| nose is runny." | | | | of the thousands who refuses to believe that cancer |
| My neighbor claimed it would be a busy year when | | | | is the number one illness among children. One of those |
| she found out I'd have one in kindergarten, one in first | | | | who has no idea that each year one in every 330 kids |
| grade and one in middle school. But not busy enough, I | | | | will be diagnosed with cancer before age 19. |
| thought, and again resisted the urge to let her know | | | | I was ready for her to walk away from me down the |
| that I was wondering what my fifth-grader would be | | | | aisle. Instead she mouthed the words, "Did a child of |
| needing for school this year. | | | | yours...?" |
| My fifth-grader, Daniel, never passed fourth grade. Or | | | | "Yes," I said. "A son who would be ten now. He didn't |
| third, or even first. He didn't get a school supply list. | | | | survive." |
| Instead he got a kit from the hospital with syringes and | | | | Her eyes showed tears, causing mine to fill. Then this |
| bandages, all very sterile. | | | | woman--a stranger--touched my arm. "I am so sorry." |
| On Memorial Day Weekend, 1996, Daniel was three | | | | She smiled at my other three children. "They are |
| and diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. After eight months | | | | beautiful. I'm sure your son was, too." |
| of treatments, surgeries, prayers and hope, this | | | | If you see a mother wearing a gold ribbon on her |
| bald-headed kid, who acknowledged he was a "Brave | | | | shirt--the symbol of childhood cancer |
| Cookie," was ready to be a cancer survivor. But a | | | | awareness---please ask her about the ribbon. The |
| staph infection entered his weakened body and we | | | | opportunity to talk will help with her healing and give |
| had to kiss him good-bye. | | | | you new wisdom. Be aware that she may cry. Feel |
| September-- now meaning for me, not only back to | | | | free to hand her a tissue. Although she has done it |
| school, but Childhood Cancer Awareness Month-- has | | | | before, she probably shouldn't be using her sleeve. |
| rolled around again and as I stand in line with my kids, I | | | | |