Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2008. I absolutely know it was a Friday! How? Because Mattie was in the hospital hallway doing a science experiment. On Friday's the chemistry club at the University would come into the pediatric units and entertain the kids. They always did a very hands on activity that involved learning in a fun way. As you can see, that day they were making snowballs out of dry ice. They gave all the kids hospital socks to put on their hands and then each child got to hold a snowball. Mattie loved the president of the club, Chris. Chris was great with Mattie, and he knew if Mattie wasn't coming out to the hallway to participate, Chris would do a private show for Mattie in his room. I am deeply grateful for people like Chris who freely give of their time and skills to visit children in the hospital.
Quote of the day: My whole being’s changed since my son got cancer. ~ Michael Bublé
My mom sent me this article today entitled, Michael Bublé QUITS music following heartache over son Noah's 'life-changing' cancer battle as he reveals he is done with fame in final interview. I am a fan of Bublé's, most likely because to me he sounds a lot like Frank Sinatra. I had heard that his 5 year old developed cancer but I must admit I hadn't followed the story.
Thankfully his son Noah is in remission and the treatment effectively managed his form of kidney cancer. Which is wonderful, yet Bublé is the perfect example of how a parent's life is completely and permanently altered from the experience. Things haven't gone back to 'normal' or usual for him. Frankly they never will, I am just impressed he was able to face this reality early on and bring attention to this psychosocial issue for the rest of the world. Nothing is wrong with Bublé. His reaction to leave the entertainment industry makes perfect sense to me. He experienced a parent's worst nightmare and as a result, he isn't bouncing back, getting fixed, or you insert the platitude!
From an outsider's standpoint, Bublé has everything.... fame, fortune, success, a beautiful wife, family, and lifestyle. Yet if anything can sober someone up quickly it is a diagnosis of childhood cancer. Childhood cancer quickly makes you see that material things mean absolutely nothing and they don't bring happiness. They certainly do not protect you for cancer. Given the article I read, Bublé wrestled with issues related to stardom and being in the public eye, way before cancer came into his life. However, I have NO DOUBT that it was Noah's cancer that was the spark that ignited a chain reaction..... which was to make a change in his life.
Just like I couldn't see going back to teaching in an undergraduate or graduate classroom, he can't see himself performing, worrying about ticket sales, his popularity and the material list goes on. I know many friends of mine who thought something was seriously wrong with me after Mattie's death. But here in lies the great divide. There are those who empathize and try to understand what it must be like to have a child live and die from cancer and then there are those of us like me, who are forced to live with this reality. Empathy versus reality is a huge conflict and difference. But at the end of the day, a bereaved parent has to do what works for him or her. We no longer have the desire or where with all to explain ourselves, our decisions, or our priorities to others. We are forever changed and yet we must figure out how to live with these horrific experiences that continually swirl around in our minds and hearts. Experiences that don't go away and yet experiences we have to park somewhere if we are going to continue living and interacting with the non-cancer world.
Michael Bublé QUITS music following heartache over son Noah's 'life-changing' cancer battle as he reveals he is done with fame in final interview:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6272425/Michael-Buble-QUITS-music-following-son-Noahs-life-changing-cancer-battle.html
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