Awwww, shucks!
I love me too! Especially when it is the 48 hours of ME!!!! hehe
Barry: Thanks for the kind words. And yes, he was an amazing brother. I miss him everyday, but at least I am thankful that he is not suffering. I can actually remember when he was sick and how he looked, and acted. It wasn't a pleasant experience.
To say that I hate DCH is to say that I hate the pain that is associated with the memories of that place. And while I catch myself blaming them for not being able to save my brother, I do have to admit that they did all they could with what they had. It was 1979, the average survival rate of a child with Leukemia wasn't as high as it is now. We've come a long way with medical breakthroughs. Of course I wish they were available back then, but it is what it is. Like I said, I have to try real hard not to have ill feelings toward DCH. Old pain that I can't seem to let go of, I suppose.... seeing a sick kid up there is like seeing my brother in that hospital room so long ago. Last year I was at Shriner's on the anniversary of when he died. It took all I had to not lose it up there. There was a kid that looked just like my brother (they were bald like I had remembered him from when he was there at DCH), I had to leave the room.
Maybe someday I will be able to go up there and not have it bother me. Who knows? All I know is that my brother is the sole reason I troop. Star Wars was the first and last movie we ever saw together before he died. It is that one tangible connection that I have that keeps his spirit alive with me. Most people don't relate or can't understand, but then again they weren't on that porch in late February of 1979 saying goodbye to him, either.
Anyway, thanks for the understanding. It is always a pleasure to troop with you folks, too!
