IT'S JUST WHO HE IS

In case you weren't aware, Taylor's favorite treats are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  Since being diagnosed, friends and loved ones have kept a steady supply coming his way.  The other day Jonah was having a bad morning.  You can totally see where he's coming from can't you?  His brother has gotten to stay home from school for a month now and yet, being the mean mom that I am, I continue to make him go.  The nerve!

Anyway, Jonah was having a rough morning the other day.  Wanting to stay home and wondering why in the world I wouldn't let him.  Miserable and sad that he misses all the fun that Taylor and I are supposedly having while he is attending school.  While he is debating the issue with me, Taylor quietly steals away to his room and recovers a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup from his stash.  He secretly tucks it into Jonah's backpack pocket, for him to find at school.  I just sat back and observed.  Here is this incredible young man going through so much pain and he thinks to try and brighten his brother's day.

Yesterday was chemo.  Our second round of the first cycle.  Or vice versa, I'm still learning the proper lingo for all of this.  As we walk to and from the car, Taylor steps aside to let me walk in front of him.  Steps to the side where cars are coming so as to be in front of me should one of them go to far.

He says please and thank you to everyone who cares for him.  Never asks for anything from the nurses.  Only answers if they offer to help.  Sits quietly while he is injected with horrible drugs to kill this cancer.  Smiles and lets his mommy hold his hand and fawn over him.

When brought food and treats he sets aside a package of Oreo's.  Wanting to take them home to a friend who he knows loves them. Even while having chemo, he's thinking of someone else.   

They have a program in the Oncology department for the kids who frequent it, called Colors of Courage.  Granted, Taylor is much older than most of the kids who are seen there.  Patients are given beads of different styles and colors.  Each bead represents something they have gone through.  Port placement, biopsy, labs and such.  When they introduced the program to us, Taylor wasn't very interested in it.  Then all of the sudden he changed his mind.  Yesterday I found out why.  He plans to save all of the beads he earns and have a necklace made for his daughter one day.  If that doesn't pull at your heart strings!

These are the things that make Taylor - Taylor.  It's just who he is!