While Drew’s chair was next to a window, he was also next to a tiny little girl who was no more than six years old. We learned quite a bit about this little girl throughout the long afternoon. We learned that her name is Rebecca and she has to travel four hours to the hospital every single week for her treatment. She loves cool ranch Dorito’s. She has a toy dog on a “leash” named Nick that goes with her everywhere she goes. She is going to be a princess for Halloween this year. In so many ways she’s like every other little girl. Except for the fact that chemotherapy has left Rebecca with very little hair and a fragile little body. She was sweet, polite and funny — and the staff clearly loved her. I did, too. 

A few times I found myself looking around the treatment room at the little faces and wanted to cry. These kids aren’t asking for anything other than to be well. They accept their treatment as a normal part of life and don’t know to ask questions about fairness or the “whys.” So I silently asked on their behalf.

When little Rebecca’s treatment finally came to an end, she slid out of her chair and went to the toy closet to pick out her toy reward. The winner? Playing cards featuring…Hello Kitty.

As if my heart needed encouragement to break. 

I don’t know if our treatment schedule will cross our paths again, but little Rebecca is permanently in my prayers. I’m also saying a prayer of thanks tonight that Drew’s first treatment went really well. 

So far so good.