Day 17: Siblings speak out

Day 17:
The sibs speak out
September. It’s a tough month for any kid. They go back to school after what seems like a brief moment of freedom.
For Chase and Ella, it’s not just the start of a school year, but also childhood cancer awareness month AND their new brother’s birthday month.
While Paul and I sort through our own feelings, I thought it was best to just ask them how they are handling it.
School is going great. Both love their teachers and their classes…win win!
I ask, well how else do you feel this month? In unison they reply, “sad.” “Why is that?”
“We miss Shane and Will reminds us of that.” Both look at each other and Chase explains that Will is just like Shane in that he looks like him (and himself) and he loves to play.
Chase said Will is always up to chasing him around.
“Will plays with me like Shane used too.”
Ella immediately starts to tear up. She says, “He steals my dolls.” I laugh. She looks at me and says, “you know!”
I do know. Shane loved to tease Ella. He used to grab her dolls and run laughing his high pitched little giggle. He used to take the clothes out of the bin faster than she was putting them back in.
Most of all, he took her beloved “Georgie.” Will does too…all in good fun.
We talked some more and they too realize the bittersweetness of celebrating Will’s birthday. They are both super excited, but with a twinge of sadness.
We discussed other thoughts and feelings a bit more about the addition of Will to our family, how we grow together with Shane by our side and the healthy balance Paul and I have created for our family.
Chase and Ella both said that they never feel like we put the memory of Shane higher than themselves.
Whew. We are doing it the right way.
We want them to always remember Shane and know that the foundation and the work we do is very important.
We never want them to FEEL as though they are not as important.
In the world of childhood cancer, I call that a win.