I want you all to know that when you share these stories with me, you inspire ME. I don't want you to think that this grief experience is not difficult. It is. There are days that I just don't want to do this any more. But then I'll receive a card, or an email with a message of how our story has inspired someone else...and it reminds me why we keep going, and that we aren't alone.
Some of you know that Matthew was diagnosed at age 2 with asthma. There were times during his life that his asthma was difficult to control, despite the care of an excellent asthma specialist and our wonderful pediatrician. He was hospitalized once and missed many days of school in his younger years. By the time he was diagnosed with cancer, his asthma was very well controlled (ultimate irony) and he rarely had exacerbations.
Adam is a friend of ours who is a firefighter/paramedic and works with Steve. He began climbing in the American Lung Association "Fight for Air" stair climb in Washington several years ago. We always supported him in his climb, as we know first hand what it's like to have child impacted by lung disease. Last year, he won the climb and dedicated his win to Matthew.
On September 30th of this year, I received a message from Adam. In part, it read:
This year the Fight for Air will have a 40 flight climb, an 80 flight climb, a 120 flight climb, and a 160 flight climb. I was given permission from the event organizers to run each event, for a total of 400 flights. I'd like to climb all 400 for Matthew, if that would be ok? I'd like to give back a little of the inspiration to him that he has given to all of us... to let him know that we are all pulling for him, and that no one fights alone.
That my friends, is what inspires me.
This Saturday we'll be rooting for Adam as he climbs wearing the medal from last year and I know Matthew will be smiling down from Heaven.
With Matthew in my Heart, Nikki
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