May 20, 2006 - Day 4 - Week 7 - Town Fair

Throughout this great land of ours schools, communities, and civic organizations host what have been affectionately called The Town Fair.  By title it is an inclusive event and the combination of rides, games, food, music and wholesome fun draws families from far and wide to experience the day.  Who does not love a good town fair?

I have attended the St. Matthew’s School Town Fair for 31 straight years.  Yesterday was no exception, and the grandkids were the motivation this year, rather than the children who enjoyed many wonderful Saturdays in May.   No, I did not have to go in the dunk tank, or dress up like a pirate or Indian, as was the custom when I worked at St. Matthew’s, but I was a bit nostalgic for the good old days as I wandered around the fair.   Times change and the style of the fair has evolved with the years, however, the smiles and laughter of children is timeless. The grin from Megan on the pony ride or Theo on the Big Whirler made everything seem just right.  Their joy was simply the reflection of hundreds of children delighting in an American tradition.

To see families celebrating on a meadow surrounded by trees and hills reminded me of why each generation works hard to make the quality of life better for the next generation. There is something special when you can be in nature with people you love.

The sun had finally broken through the “June gloom” of fog and mist, and I was standing on the meadow, somehow separated from family for a moment, when an old friend approached.

We exchanged greetings, and he thanked me for inquiring about his 18 year old son who has been through a great deal the last few years.  I had recently been told of his son’s cancer by someone who knew I had cancer.  Charlie is a survivor of brain cancer. Chemo therapy and radiation have put his cancer in remission.  He has been able to resume a normal life; hooray and halleluiah.

As we chatted, and his dad shared the family ordeal, I could not help walking away more determined than ever to help promote the prevention of cancer in the first place.  Why? Why do children have to suffer with something that is preventable?  Why are we as a culture drifting into a complacency that allows us to presume that this is the way life is today and we just better find the vaccine or cure?  Are we consciously working to make the quality of life better, or worse, for our children?

These are tough questions I don’t like to ask of myself and my peers, but brain cancer in kids is not fair, however you slice it.  I know a little bit about brain cancer as my wife Katy’s first husband Toby died of a brain tumor and my son-in-law Mark’s father Rod died of a brain tumor in just a few months 7 years ago.  Toby and Rod in their early 30’s and 50’s were still too young, but 16, that makes me angry and wanting to know more.

I have said repeatedly and will continue to reinforce how precious the children of this world are in the sight of their parents and grandparents.  When cancer strikes at home we realize that in a deep and profound way.  I am beginning to see a pattern here, and I may begin to ask you to join with me focusing on prevention. In the meantime, let us all keep a good thought for Charlie and his family.

Back to Week 7