Yesterday, before the sunrise, my oldest child stood in front of his middle school peers and shared his story. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) group meets once a week in the cafeteria before the first bell of the school day. One Wednesday each month they combine with another middle school FCA in town. They join their groups together for fellowship, fun, and free breakfast.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Karson was asked to share about his cancer. How he fought leukemia from the age of two to the age of five and-a-half. How before his peers met him in their Kindergarten classrooms and the elementary playground, he’d spent most of his days too sick to play with other kids.
How he’d received over three years of chemotherapy. How he was given steroids that made him crazy with hunger and then how he was required to fast for spinal tap procedures. How he ate more in one day as a toddler than most teenage boys do in two. How his medicine made him feel itchy, and yucky, and isolated. How he not only survived it all, but now is tall, and happy, and healthy.
He’s here.
And he’s willing to share at an FCA meeting on a cold, dark, Wednesday morning.
And my husband, who helps lead FCA and heard our son share, told me later that Karson’s message had two main points.
1- God loves you no matter what you’re going through – even if you don’t have it figured out.
2- We can have hope and joy because Jesus made it possible to spend eternity in Heaven.
And I can’t see straight as I type this because of the tears in my eyes.
Because I remember the days of being up before the crack of dawn too. Not for FCA groups, but for loading into the car with a very sick little bald boy who needed to go the hospital to get chemo to help keep him alive. How some days my knees could barely hold my own weight as I watched those spinal tap procedures and blood transfusions. How we didn’t know if he would live. How we didn’t know what the long term effects of his treatment would be even if he did. How we were told he would likely have stunted growth, learning disabilities, and coordination issues. And how we fought, and loved, and prayed.
And now I hear of him standing there; tall, and smart, and smiling. Telling his peers of the true hope they can cling to in this life.
And the tears run down my cheeks as I take it all in.
He’s here.
Yesterday was one of those days.
One of those days when you feel like you see the light pierce through the darkness.
When you remember that the sun will rise again.
Christy Cabe 
The tears streamed down my face as I read this . Thank you so much for sharing your family’s story and of Karson’s opportunity to share his story with his peers . I would bet each of them had a changed perspective after hearing what he’s gone through. I’m so thankful for the happy ending to what must have seemed like so many dark days you all trudged through. Your faithfulness and trust in God are so inspiring. You have such a beautiful way of delivering your story. I am so thankful to know you and be continually inspired by you ❤
As the tears fall down my face all I can think about is how strong you are and Karson are. We take for granted how lucky we are to have healthy children. Because in a blink of an eye everything can change. Hugs to you and your family.
I remember those days so well when we were praying with all of hearts for healing. I am so very grateful he was able to share his story yesterday!!
Thank you for sharing this! My son was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 2 1/2 and just finished his treatment in October last year. He turned 6 in February and is in kindergarten.
It’s so great to hear stories of strong kiddos (and parents) who also went through this journey and are doing so well! I pray everyday that God will use Jaxson in a powerful way.
God is already using your son, so amazing!