I Don't Understand How the World Works

I posted this a few days ago. I
It was one of the hardest things I have ever written.
My heart broke as I typed
I am reposting it as a part of




Please take a moment to think about these kids
and hug your own babies everyday!


For a while now, I've been following Jaden's story. In case you don't know, Jaden is a 2 year old boy fighting cancer. I first came across his story on Facebook through friends of mine. That lead me to SupahMommy's blog, where she gives updates every Sunday. I was fortunate enough a few months ago to go to a fundraiser for Jaden. It was amazing to see the love that surrounds this little boy and his family. It was also amazing to watch him run around and socialize just any other 2 year old.

While reading Jaden's updates and how he was slowly starting to win his battle, a friend of mine was losing her battle with cancer. In January, she lost her battle. It was so hard to lose a friend and it was even harder to watch her little girls go through the loss of their mother. In some strange way, I did find peace in her loss. A part of me felt that the overall plan was for her to give her life so Jaden could keep his. It is completely unfair because she had so much going for her, but at the same time, Jaden is only 2 and has yet to live a full life.

I was at peace with this until today. Jaden has a buddy Ethan. Ethan is also 2 and has the same cancer as Jaden, but unfortunately his treatments are not working. His tumor has grown and I don't think there's anything else that can be done for him. My heart breaks for Ethan and his family. I can't even imagine what they are going through. It has to be unbearable. I hope that they can find some way to deal with all of this and make their baby comfortable.

I've also seen stories of children on others' blogs. Some stories are about winning the battle, while others are not. I just don't understand why this stuff has to happen. Whether you're grown or a baby, why is the challenge of fighting something so ugly shoved in your face. I wish I knew the reason and I wish I had a cure, but sadly, I do not. Someday someone will, but for now all we can do is hope and pray. Hope for the road to recovery or hope for comfort.



For ways to help Jaden, Ethan, and their families, please go to SupahMommy's blog.

If you come across other stories such as these, please try to help in any way you can. It doesn't have to be money. Quite often hope and prayer help more than you realize.


Until next time....

15 comments:

supahmommy- somethin's wrong with that girl said...

You are a dear dear sweetheart and I"m so blessed to know that Jaden made us friends. You're never ending support of this little boy does not go unnoticed. Your mom would be so very proud of you and the sweet caring person that I"m sure you've always been and have become.. in honor of her. I'm sad about your friend and those little girls. It's almost too much to bear to think of how much loss this causes. Even if we don't understand it...we can still be there for each other to try to come to some peace with it.


xoxoxo
ty 100 million times.

to all of you who have followed this story..
all our friends who will come over to your post and comment.

thank you
xxoxox
d

Oka said...

Yes, I have been following Jaden's story for sometime. It was great to hear all the positive things for their family, after all the fighting.

I can't pretend to understand what Ethan's family is going through, or how tough the news has to be for Jaden's family.

Prayers are powerful, but in the end God has a plan whether we find it easy to accept or not.

Anonymous said...

I understand your feelings...I continue to pray for Jaden and everyone who is batling this horrible disease...sometimes it just doesnt feel like enough:(

Bethany said...

I believe that we are not meant to understand everything. It breaks my heart to see the suffering that surrounds us everyday, but I find comfort in knowing that God has a plan at work. Even though I don't understand what it is, I know that he holds each of us in His hands. I don't know if you are familiar with this Victor Hugo quote (but it's my favorite), "Have courage for the great sorrows in life and patience for the small. And when your daily task is done, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."
I truly believe that He never takes His eyes off from us.

Charlene Juliani said...

Prayers....


I have an early Easter gift for you, come check it out on my blog!

http://adventures-in-mommy-land.blogspot.com/

Liz Mays said...

I don't understand it all either, but I pray for those darling children regularly.

Kmama said...

Aww, shoot Evonne. Making me cry at 8 a.m. on a Monday morning.

In all seriousness...I really don't understand either. But what I do know is that all of "this" isn't ours to understand. God knows and he has his reasons.

I'm praying.

Kathleen@so much to say, so little time said...

I interviewed a man this weekend who had a wonderful perspective on why suffering. (Incidentally, he has a teenager daughter who has cancer.) He said that God doesn't protect adults, or even children, from witnessing, and sometimes suffering, all the ugliness of the world--and the only thing he can draw from that is that there must be some lesson we learn from seeing the suffering--i.e., the idea that choices have consequences, both personal and global. He was talking more about Rwanda and Bosnia and the carnage that goes on there, rather than cancer in children...but your post reminded me, so I thought I would share.

Devin said...

This blog entry really touched my heart. Cancer is such a debilitating disease, but it is even more difficult to fathom the disease in a 2-year old who has so much more life to live.

I wanted to share a fundraiser with you called Human Tribe Project. It is a free website that allows friends and family to raise money and show support for a loved one facing cancer or any other disease. Anyone can start a Tribe Page, all you need is an email address. You can invite anyone you know and these Tribe Members can leave encouraging words of support in the guestbook. Tribe Members can also purchase Tribe Tags-- steel, charm necklaces with the individual of the supporter-- for $20 with $15 gifted directly to the individual in need. Medical bills can definitely add up and this organization helps alleviate the financial burden.

I hope you will pass this along to Jaden and his family.

Tiffany said...

The biggest unanswered question "why?" God knows and we have to have faith that the right decisions are made. How we choose to deal with it is a test of our faith and love. I cannot wrap my mind around it either.
Thank you for sharing. I'll be praying right along with you.

Shell said...

I don't understand why things happen the way they do. I'm continually praying for them all.

Thanks for linking up.

Anonymous said...

I have asked this question many times. Why do such bad things happen to such good people? I recently heard about Jaden and I too am praying for him, and now Ethan. It is so tragic this is happening. My dear friends father is dying of cancer, I keep expecting that awful phone call telling me he's gone. I hope they find a cure much sooner than later. Prayers are a wonderful way to help. Thank you for posting this.

Lisa said...

I don't think were meant to understand some things. I just have to have faith that someone will learn something from all the horrible things that happen. Like these stories I believe are teaching compassion to people who have never met these kids and their families.
GREAT post....both times.

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

I don't get it......but you are awesome for keeping them all in you heart!

Amanda said...

This is a subject I will never understand. The way life works isn't fair, and I just really hope and pray that we all understand it when we get to the other side.

It breaks my heart when children lose their mommys ~ BREAKS MY HEART! And it breaks my heart when parents have to lose their kids at such a young age to such a scary disease ~ or any way at that matter.

Life is so scary, SO SO SO SCARY!