Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Question

As a parent you have those moments, when one of your kids asks a tough question and you have to take a deep breath and decide how to answer. It is usually something like, "Where do babies come from?" or "What does God look like?"

Tonight was one of those times for me. Emily had just gotten out of the shower and yelled down, asking me to come up stairs.
I was feeling lazy so I yelled back up asking her what she needed? She yelled the question down the stairs and I just stopped. Then I heard Todd say, "You better get up there." And I ran upstairs.

"Mommy, if you and I have the same genes, will I get cancer?"
There she was, sitting in a towel, dripping wet.

I told her that I was 2 when I had Wilms Tumor (cancer in the kidney) and that it was not in my genes.
Then I told her I didn't know if she would get breast cancer. She said, "I thought you were going to say that."

My mom and both my grandmothers had breast cancer. It probably is in my genes. I told her I was sorry. I also said that it most likely wouldn't happen before she was 37 years old and that was 30 years away. I said I thought in 30 years doctors would be able to keep her from ever getting it, even if it is in her genes. I also explained that God was in charge and if she got cancer she needed to use it as an opportunity to share with people about Jesus. I said please don't worry about it now. Then she said, "After i get my PJ's on, can I give you a big hug?"
Wow!! That hug was a tight one.

4 comments:

SarahRachel said...

Wow...that IS a tricky one to deal with. I think your answers were really good ones and I DO think that you're right. It's amazing how many more developments there are in fighting cancer even yearly. Also, that picture of you and Emily is just stunning of both of you. You're a good mommy. =)

Jennnix said...

Wow! Here's to you running up the stairs! And to God being in charge! And to Emily, who definitely has her thinking cap on, even when she's in the tub! : )

Barbara said...

Isn't it fascinating that Katey was worried about a legacy of cancer, but you are giving her a legacy of love, of faith, of hope.

New legacies, new life - isn't that what Christmas is all about!

I love you! bj

Are You Destinized? said...

That's a great looking pic!