Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Happy Birthday, S!

Today is my oldest nephew, S's, birthday! He is turning 14! OK, that in itself is unbelievable. I remember holding him in his little primary colored Gymboree clothes and wondering if I would ever be responsible enough to have my own baby. I guess someone thought I was responsible because I wound up with 2. Anyway, more about S. I have so many snapshots in my mind of him. Standing in his Dad's fishing boots when he was about 3, having baths in the sink, being the big kid in the tub with his brothers and cousins, playing soccer, finding every jump on the hill to ski off, and the swagger he adopted when he was about 11 because he was so cool! In November of 2005, S looked like this...

He had just survived 5 months of intensive chemotherapy. He fought the C word like a samurai warrior. He put up with hospital stays, blood transfusions, nausea, cravings, a summer spent mostly inside instead of outside and all the other crap that comes with cancer.

Now, S looks like this....

He has gained weight, grown a few inches and still has that great smile. He plays soccer, basketball, baseball and skis like a downhill racer. He still allows me to hug him and I even got to give him a kiss this morning when he ran in to pick up his cupcakes. You got it, I am the aunt/mom that likes to bake, so I get asked to make the special funfetti cupcakes every year! Do I mind? No way. He is a real trooper and has worked hard to come out on the other side of cancer as a better, stronger person. I am so proud of him!

6 comments:

Laski said...

What an awesome young man. I think any person who triumphs over the big C is amazing! But, when it happens to a child--words can't express the courage. What a great tribute (and what a handsome kid!).

Happy 14th B-day!

Betsy, short for Elizabeth, formally known as Esther said...

HAPPY HAPPY Birthday! That is so wonderful!

Jules said...

Well happy birthday to him from me.
Fighting cancer is a long, hard road. I'm so glad to hear that he has beaten it.

Anonymous said...

yes that made me cry it is amazing to watch your son go through this and the real battle begins when treatment is done and you ??? what was that? I am so blessed to part of this family, you forgot to add that we lived with you for ??? was it two months? that was a dream two moms.
Love you kathryn

MsFish said...

Tears Tears Tears after seeing these pictures again - BUT smiles for all the wonderful things on the way for big S!

Buford Betty said...

Wow - that is so great! What a beautiful kid. Thanks for sharing.