Choose Life

I cried...hard...borderline ugly cry tonight. But I was thankful that I did. It was over a book - more specifically, over a book about a little man. If you live in Peterborough, and maybe if you live elsewhere, you may of heard of a young boy named James Birrell. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (cancer) when he was three and went to be with his Maker when he was eight. He lived in Peterborough. His dad would send out e-mails updating those intereseted in James' well-being while he battled the disease and even after his death. His dad took those e-mails and had a book made called "Ya Can't Let Cancer Ruin Your Day" (a quote from James and a motto his entire family lived by). I want to share with you a part of the book that hit me hard. James and his dad were having a candid conversation, as most of their conversations were, about the reality of living with the disease. His dad asks "how he puts up with living with all the...indignities of living with cancer?"

James responds, "I've made my choice. I'm always gonna be choosing life."

This little man was seven years old. I will not analize the power of this comment. If you have time, read the book...it's even more powerful in context.

Ya Can't Let Cancer Ruin Your Day: The James Emails
Syd Birrell
Green Train Books
ISBN 097380800-4