Posted November 12th, 2009
I Am…. By; Shannon Rapp
Today our daughter brought this project home from school…..(posted below)
With her permission….I am sharing it with all that take the time to view and hear the message… In my opinion it has much to offer to all.
Shannon was 6 years old when I learned I had cancer. She had no idea what that word actually meant or understood it could take her Dad out of her life.
Sherri and I struggled more than we could explain to you in words, how hard that time in our life actually was (and still is today), not only for our daughter (6 years old at the time) but for our son as well which was 16 at the time and did understand the consequences of that horrible word, “Cancer”
I shared more than I probably should have in my “About Me” page on our For Healthy Options site but it was something I personally felt would help others in my situation and/or someone that had heard the “C” word.
What we didn’t realize was just how much it affected each of our children…. Quite frankly it was a time in our life when we felt totally lost, totally scared, tried hard to cover up the severity of the disease and prayed more than most people could imagine.
Every year we go through the same old thing, a test to see if the cancer has come back once again.
Being lost for the right words here, my message is simply this, if you are a victim of the “C” word and feel as lost as we were, please don’t under-estimate the affect it has on your children as we obviously did, talk to them. They really do understand more than we may give them credit for?
As always, I share because I care and although we never realized the impact my cancer had/has on our kids….. We do now and more importantly, we plan to talk more about it.
Thanks for your time,
Roy and Sherri
P.S. “Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Remember, you must use it, as it is given only once. Once wasted you cannot get it back“. -Author Unknown
P.S.S. Below are the actual words written by Shannon…
I Am….
By Shannon Rapp
I am nice and funny
I wonder why there are murderers in the world
I hear a flying squirrel jumping from tree to tree
I want 1 million dollars
I see a dog doing the hula
I am nice and funny
I pretend that I’m not stressed about seventh grade
I feel tired when I get up early
I touch a unicorn’s horn
I worry about my dad having cancer again
I cry when I can’t fall asleep
I am nice and funny
I understand how global warming is affecting the earth
I say that I have good friends
I dream of flying
I try to get good grades
I hope that my dad is free of cancer forever
I am nice and funny
16 Comments
I loved what Shannon wrote. How touching and really made me think back to being in school at that age. How proud you must be as her parents. Of all the things that go through their minds, and to express it so well. That was a great way to top off my day.
Awesome post! Kids are more understanding than we think. You must be very proud for sure.
RH
WOW! This really is nice and so special. It made my day!
All the best!
Denise
We are so fortunate in many ways and so proud of both our kids! They both have big hearts and care so much!
We are proud parents for sure!
Roy
It’s hard to imagine what you and your family went through and more so live with yet today.
Kids do understand more than we think at times. This was awesome and inspiring.
Take care,
Diane
I have to say this was very inspiring for me, I too have lived the “C” word and still winning the fight today.
Shannon has to be a very special girl and one you are very proud of.
God Bless,
Ken
Hey Roy!
You may not remember me, a guard at Mason City but a few years ago you helped me out a lot with my Dad having Cancer and all the stuff that goes with that??
Anyway, just wanted to say you really do care and I see Shannon has to be your daughter too!
Thanks again
Chris
Hey Chris!
I do remember you and it means a lot to me that you actually posted here on my blog! OMG…I didn’t know you actually knew I had a blog?
Larry told me about your Dad and I am so sorry. I wish I could say more…
As we talked many times this thing called cancer really sucks and those that have it really do go day to day.
Please take care of yourself kid and contact me anytime!
Roy
P.S. Yes my daughter and son are pretty special and we are very proud parents!
What a wonderful moment for you Roy, to read how much you mean to Shannon. I wish you didn’t have to live with the fear of the “C” word returning, but am glad for the love you have in your life and that you appear to be as healthy as a horse! Enjoy each day,
Love,
Paulette
This is really inspiring and shows that we need to talk about things like this with our kids. They are more aware than not.
Wish you all the best.
Deb
I think it’s a good thing to share and try to help, people seem so distant today. This is a good post here Roy and I like your story.
Take care
Dale
Roy, you really hit what matters most in life….I can only hope as you say….”See the forest for the trees” will be what people will get from this?
Great blog and your about me story really was awesome!
God Bless
TS
Roy, that daughter of yours is just like her parents—you and Sherri are some of the most outstanding people i have ever met—because you show your human-ness so well, because you care enough to share painful things, because you bring such hope and i am running out of words—Shannon, be glad of who you are, you are so swweet.:) all of us go through our own hells, but to share and turn it positive is a gift. and the Rapps certainly have it! love you guys! martha
Had to comment on this too, you have a very special daughter, I’m sure you are very proud of her.
Gail
Hi
awesome post – i’m creating video about it and i will post it to youtube !
if you wana to help or just need a link send me email !
Thanks for
your sharing, it’s very useful
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