G is for graduation

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Holding a newborn after so many years was such tingling experience. Such a precious little man, Sean…so precious.  Family gathered around him, loving him.

Grandchildren had gone from baby to teens and these grandparents hadn't held a new grandson for years.  Sean was the beginning of another set of babies.  Sweet boy...such a precious sweet boy.

Sean could hit the baseball hard, could stretch out his glove, and catch anything hit his way.  Then his parents noticed that he wasn’t using his left hand. 

Doctor visit, then Pediatric Neurologist, then an MRI, and then on the fourth day Sean’s parents heard the news of a brain tumor. Surgery would happen in seven days.

The first surgery was done by one of only two Pediatric Neurosurgeons in the entire country. The tumor was wrapping around the brain stem; if the surgery had not been done, he would have died in two months. Sean was nine then.

A new MRI, and then a second surgery. The first surgery had been brutal, but the second was indescribable.  So much trauma, so much of who he was, taken away. Sean was ten. 

Then radiation. Then this…that…this…

Now…Sean is 22 years old.  Now, even after such horrible surgeries which left severe disabilities, Sean is graduating from University.

There will be rejoicing and tears for this young man, this precious man, this precious young man.

Of all the A to Z posts written this year, this one was the hardest. No words seemed to fit or relay this. My nephew is amazing.