April is the month we recognize children of those that serve in our military and in realty those that have served. Our Little He came in to our lives years after the Big He honorably discharged from the USAF. We never imagined that we would be thrust so actively into this community again. Our time in the military were stories we shared with our boy. Pictures we shared and fun souvenirs he could take to school.

Once we learned the Big He’s ALS diagnosis was connected to his military service and our connection to this community was re-established, our son has now seen first hand what being connected to the military community really means. Just as we learned when we were so young, the military takes care of their own. They watch out for you for one reason, you are family. The Big He’s brothers and sisters he served with have reconnected with us and have shown our son the same love and friendship they have for us.

Today I want to recognize our amazing man-child. He was only 13 when he learned his Dad had been diagnosed with a terminal disease. It was the day that would start his journey as a kid caregiver. I have to say kids are amazing and we don’t give them enough credit at times. As much as we want to protect our boy from the heartache this disease causes, I know it is this journey that will shape him into a man we could only dream he will become.

Our boy has become so much more empathetic which is not something you find in a tween and teen. His responsibilities are also more than the average teen. He assists with those things around the house that his dad once did. He assists with the daily hands on care of his dad. To some extent, care that most adults will never have to do. He does it with a smile and joke most days. His sense of humor has grown and he has learned to use humor to help cope with the sometimes embarrassing or awkward moments. His emotional intelligence is sharpening [more than some adults I know]. This trait will serve him well in the future. I hate he has to experience so much pain so early in life, but the man he is becoming because of this journey makes his mom and dad’s heart smile with pride. We know he will have the skills to handle whatever this life throws at him.

All my love,

The She