I answered a knock at the door a few moments ago, as a matter of fact my husband beat me to it. In his happy go lucky way he embrased our friend, a baseball mom of a fine family. She stopped by to deliver a check for what else, baseball. As we all had a nice hug in the foyer, I inquired about her husband who had recently been laid up with a bad back. We were joking about him answering e-mails about baseball from the hospital on his Blackberry. When I asked, how is Kenneth? there was a long pause, the kind of pause that when witnessed sends a dagger through your heart and sucks the air from your lungs. Kenneth she said, has cancer and in a bad way, a very bad way. The journey they are beginning could of course have many outcomes, but right now things do not look good.
My husband and I were stunned, and speechless as a routine delivery of a baseball check turned into three adults staring at eachother with no words forthcoming that could possibly lend any comfort.

There were no tears however, because Kenneth will do whatever he can to survive and until his last breath, he will be a Father, husband, and friend of the highest regard. He has been involved in his three son's lives the most a father can, while performing at the highest level of his profession, been a loving and supportive husband, and to many, many in our community a rock of a friend. He has given coutless hours as a volunteer in our community. No tears for Kenneth now, he does not want tears from us, he wants to continue his life as normal of course. He had his wife running from radiology, to pharmacy, to discharge, just so he could make his son's baseball game.

Kenneth has been a very good friend to me over the 14 years I have known him. No, we don't socialize a lot, nor do our kids even cross paths much, but he is a man that I, we, my family could count on for anything. And vice versa.

There were times when he was coaching my son's team in little league many moons ago, and I admit I really felt he gave his son more playing time over two other kids (not mine) that I felt were better.
But, now I am feeling like those things happen for a reason far beyond the moment. Perhaps he was given that slice of time with his son, because his time was to be cut short.

I could go on about my friend Kenneth, but I won't, I simply ask you to pray for him. For the power of the hsbbweb prayers to lengthen his life as long as his physical body will allow. Keep him in your prayers and please ask all you know to pray for him.
God knows Kenneth, for sure - how could he not?

iheartbb-I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Kenneth will be in our prayers, for strength, comfort and healing.

iheeartbb ...

Prayers from So Cal as Kenneth and his beloved family face this challenge. It sounds like he has had a wonderful life with his wife and sons, and I just feel that the Lord will honor Him for all that Kenneth has done. Thank you for sharing, as sad as the news is, and allowing us the privilege to pray for Kenneth.

Iheartbb,....my heart goes out to all of you.
I am so sorry for this news.
My prayers are sent and will continue.
~ God Bless ~

We will certainly be praying for your dear friend Kenneth.

Thank you for sharing the story of your friendship with us iheartbb.

I will certainly include your friend Kenneth in my prayers. I recently found out an old aquaintance has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Events like this sure make us take stock of our own lives and cherish those friendships. Please keep us posted on your friend and his family.

Thanks SSmom for your holiday wishes. Back at Ya!
I need to move this back to the top in hopes that any of you ladies can spare a prayer. Please send some , bunches actually to my friend Kenneth, - he needs us all right now - please spread the word on the eve of this Holy Day - Thanks to all!

Of course we will pray for Kenneth. I just lost a sister in law last Nov. to breast cancer.
I might make a suggestion to anyone who is facing this kind of problem. There is a website called caringbridge.org which provides a place for the patient to post a journal and for friends to write notes to the patient and thier family.
My sister in law had one of these and it was a wonderful way to communicate how she was doing, and in turn, for us to send her wishes. I highly recommend it, no matter what stage of critical illness.

mikamom ...

We were introduced to that wonderfull site when a friend's brother was terminal. It is very uplifting, even when the days seem dark. Thanks for recommending it.

iheartbb ...

Kenneth is on my list for daily prayer, and whenever he happens to cross my mind (which, I believe, is God's way of tapping me on the shoulder and remembering Kenneth's need for prayer).

Thanks Mikamom, sounds like a great resource.
Thanks for all keeping Kenneth in your prayers, his pain management is beginning to work. He's a heck of a fighter, he has lots to fight for, brilliant wife, three really cool sons, great life, great friends, keep the power of prayer coming to all of those in need, quite a few lately here on the hsbbweb.