I just got an amazing phone call. For those who don’t know my family, Mark is my uncle. My moms brother, that I mainly reference as “Marky.” He is everything to me. He is the sweetest, kindest, most gentle creature on this Earth I believe.

Growing up I knew Mark was a bit different. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew he was.

See, he has Down Syndrome. He lived at home with his parents his whole life. When his dad died, that made him the man of the house! A role that fit him well. The problem started when my grandma (his mother) started to get sick. His mother was everything to him, and when she got sick…he sort of got sick too. And in my heart I believe the day she died, a large part of Marky died too.

Recently his brother died too, and I believe he has lost all faith in humanity as well. Why is it the people we love, die and leave us alone? Recently he found out I had cancer, and I know he is scared. In his heart he believes I will leave him too.

My aunt Cindy called earlier and let him talk to me and I know it made him feel better. I try to send letters, and packages , and we visit as much as we can…but it’s not easy when he is in Ohio. He visited last summer, and most he does. I load the kids, and my mom
in the car and drive the 6+ hours to Ohio to see him and bring him back to Missouri. I spend every waking minute spending as much time as possible with him. I want him to know i love him and will do anything for him.

I know he is scared. But, I’m not going anywhere. i can’t wait for him to visit and see that I’m okay this summer:)