Lessons for the Little Ones

2 sessions of radiation down...31 more to go!  Things went good last week.  The ladies who help me out with radiation are so nice & helpful & friendly.  In fact, they almost make you look forward to it each day, almost:)  I noticed that it feels like after you've been laying in a tanning bed & maybe you stayed in just a minute or two too long.  Not painful at all, just a tingling, warm feeling.

Through these last few months it has been interesting to see how the little kids who are a part of my life have handled things.  Right now on the home screen of Gavin's iPod he has a saying, "Go Green, Go Pink, Beat Breast Cancer", my Dad told me how my nephew Hunter was pushing snow around with his foot while ice fishing & said, "look Grandpa, I made a breast cancer ribbon!", and when asked about the breast cancer ribbon symbol on a pen, my niece Averie pointed at me & said it was for Aunt Leslie. 

I could go on and on.  But two stories this week reminded me that there are good things that are still coming out of this situation.  On Thursday it was pink show & tell day for my 3year old preschoolers.  One of the children, Draven Reid, brought one of the pink Speak Hope-Leslie Booher bracelets that were distributed just after I was diagnosed.  He was very excited to show the class & stood up in front of his peers proudly showing the pink item he had brought.  He told the kids that the bracelet said my name on it.  One of the other students questioned why that bracelet would have my name on it.  Draven looked at me and said, "it's for you Mrs. Booher, we pray for you."  I was then able to explain to the class what the bracelet was for and how people could look at the bracelet on their wrist & pray for me while I was sick.  How cool is it that this family has made it a priority to pray for me and have used my situation as a way to teach their 3 year old about prayer & about caring for those around you who are sick & hurting!  I was excited to tell his Mom the story this morning at church:)

Another story comes through a first grader, Shelby Ripley.  They also attend our church & I meet with her Mom for Bible study on a regular basis.  Although I have not known them long, it is plain to see that Shelby is being taught the important things in life.  This week Shelby told her Mom that her wish for her birthday this year was, "that the mean ol' cancer would leave Leslie alone forever!"  How cute is that?!  The prayers & thoughtfulness of this family have made an impact on me but also on this little girl!

There are many other stories of kids learning tough but important lessons through my cancer diagnosis.  I'm thankful that I have had the opportunity to "Speak Hope" not only to the adults in my life, but to the kids as well.