Together In Loss

Happy Birthday Matthew from MOM.   I can not believe you would have been 27 if Rabdomyosarcoma hadn't taken you away from us at 11 years old.  It doesn't feel like that much time has pasted since we said goodbye.  I wonder what kind of man you would be had you survived the cancer.  Since losing you and Cullen I have come to realize how quick life goes by and before you know it I will see both of you again.  Until then I will live my life to the fullest just like you guys did up until  I take my last breath.  Keep an eye on your little brother and look down on Mike and give some blessings so that his life is filled with wonderful opportunities, good fortune and maybe a nice girl. 
Till I see you again,  Little buddy

Love MOM

Happy Birthday Daddy,

today would be your birthday. the day that I would always call and tell you how much you mean to me. My birthday as a child was always a very special day and when I became an adult, I wanted to make yours as special. Today, I missed that call...I missed hearing you tell me that it was just "another" birthday. Yes, daddy, it is just another birthday, but it is YOUR birthday, and that is a big day for me.

I still miss you every day. Some days I reach for the phone to ask you a question, because, daddy, you know everything, and remember that you can not answer that for me.

You have been gone 3 long months, but you are with mom, and that is very comforting. Please give mom a big hug for me. I miss you both every day.

Happy Birthday Daddy....I would not be the person I am today without you.

Your baby girl

Binny

This is a letter written by Jim Bryant a few days after Cullen passed away. 

It can be used to describe what so many are feeling when they are dealing with cancer.

Cancer,
 Hello Again.
How are you feeling today? Me? I'm not feeling so great but please don't drop by for a visit, you are not welcome here.
Some day the pain and misery you bestowed upon this family will pass. Many months may go by but I'll return to my partially, jolly old self. You will always be cold and mean.
So, you thought you could take two of our children away and we would just let you off the hook. How wrong you are, you abnormal mass of malignant cells. You can destroy their bodies but you can not destroy our memory of them. You can bestow pain and suffering upon them but you can not keep them from an existence in paradise. You see cancer, today you died but another one of God’s children went home to live forever. I’m hoping Cullen has the last laugh now, just as Mathew did 12 years prior. I imagine them running with fully energized bodies as I remember they did before you showed up. I hope and pray they have long forgotten the agony you gave to them. For I believe Matthew and Cullen have the gift of eternal life while you are bound by a biological existence. I guess you actually lost Cancer, though it will take time to see that. Someday, I hope, no child or woman or man will have to worry about whether you will beat them or not.
Sincerely,
An enemy~

Keep Smiling

Jim

When I look back on my life I wonder how many losses can a heart survive.  I miss the people in my life that I have had to say goodbye to way too soon.  Life goes so fast.  You think you will have unlimited time with the people you love but that comes and goes so quickly.  I try to stay focused on the good things in my life and for the most part life is good.  I feel there is so much waiting for me out there but I am stuck in trying to keep the memories that are good but not letting those same memories hold me back because they can be so painful.  I am thankful for everything I have has in my life and look forward to a bright future hopefully encountering some adventures.  Live well and don't let the memories of your life keep you in the past.  

Journey On

Lynnette