When Words Are Hard to Find

Last week was hard. On Monday, October 10, this adorable little three year old went home to be with the Lord after an eleven month battle with medullablastoma, a rapidly growing cancerous tumor of the cerebellum. His name is Paxton. I taught his older brother in church. We saw his mom carry him to term and we all celebrated his birth. His family dedicated him to the Lord in August of 2008. We watched him grow. We rejoiced at the arrival of his little sister. He was adorable and no one ever thought for a minute that something like cancer would end his life on earth at such a young age. It's heartbreaking, yet we don't mourn as people who have no hope.

Much like Multiple Myeloma, I had never even heard of  Medullablastoma, and the more we learned about it, the more frightening it became. It sent our church to our knees, praying constantly for this precious child. He endured months in the hospital, surgery, chemotherapy, not one but three stem cell transplants, and countless needles, procedures and tests. And yet, he managed to surprise his doctors, smile, laugh, and lift the spirits of everyone around him. He was a warrior in the battle for his life. We all hoped and prayed that he would be healed here on earth, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he was taken to that perfect place, heaven, where there is no cancer, no pain, no sorrow. Only joy, complete healing and everlasting life!

I commend his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles for their steadfast faith in the battle. They came alongside one another, cared for each other, and selflessly gave everything they could for Paxton, especially his mother, Christy. She lay in that hospital bed with her boy night after night, and when he was too weak to walk, she carried him. She was his biggest cheerleader and she set an example of faith and strength that none of us will ever forget.

Their friends and our church family were also amazing to watch, with people seeking any and every way they could help, from meals, to babysittting, to financial donations. It was a blessing to feel like there was something you could do to lighten their load. Whenever you think about it, please pray for the Seneri family in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Even in their loss, they know they will see Paxton again, and they will continue to fight childhood cancers through an organziation named for their son. You can read more about it here.

When words are hard to find, I share with you these words from Paxton's Mommy:

 "Sweet Paxton, I was so blessed to be your mommy. You taught me so much. How to love, how to fight, how to live. You have touched so many lives in your short time here on earth. I'm so proud of my brave little boy. Though I don't want to let you go, I am so happy that you can run, play, laugh, and be a kid again. I'll always carry you in my heart. See you soon, my best little buddy."

Sometimes a song helps give us a new perspective on the difficulties of life.