“Am I going to die?” are harrowing words I pray no parent will ever be asked by their seven-year-old child. Hearing that question posed by my son William after the ER physician closed the door and told him, me and his mother “I don’t have good news” – I can easily say Feb 1st, 2025, has been the worst day of my and Naomi’s lives.
I’ve written on the problem of evil and suffering as well as several famous Stoic philosophers and world changers that have embodied focusing on what you can control in the face of incredible adversity. Never in my life has the academic become so existential – and more real and personal.
With confirmed tumors in his brain and spine, to say we’re in shock or broken doesn’t even begin to capture the reality of the situation. This can’t be happening. This isn’t happening. Why is this happening? Amongst my brokenness, William has been my strength and my hero. He’s scared, yet so brave for the journey ahead – his faith, hope, and love a model for me for the rest of my life.
They say one’s character is defined by their response to adversity. William’s name means resolute protector and strong-willed warrior. I’ve never seen such character, strength, and exemplary manifestation of a namesake. He’s fist bumping, smiling, saying “let’s just get this surgery over with.” William has shown me faith, hope, and love in the darkest of times – he’s shown me true strength.
My and Naomi’s world has been rocked and he’s comforting us.
“It’s okay to cry… I have to go through this… I’ll be the one in pain…”
He has so much strength. I had to ask him “how are you so brave?” He said “because of you, Mom, and Brian (his 18-year-old big brother)”
“No, buddy, you’re the brave one…. You make your Dad so proud…”, I tried saying without losing it.
My family and I have a battle ahead with the bravest seven-year-old in the world.
William. My son. My hero. My Iron Heart.
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