Day 292:
As I've mentioned more than once in the last several weeks (months?), Conor, work has been treating me about as well as you treat a diaper. That's not a pretty visual, is it? Well, having finally gotten one of the several deals I've been working closed last week in Nashville, and now that we're in a new quarter, I decided to take a much needed day to do a little something I just don't do enough of anymore, Son; play golf.
The day was nothing short of perfect, Conor. With a high temperature of 71 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and a nice easy breeze, me, Mommy, Aunt Jennifer, and Uncle Paul would all play a bit of hooky to get a round in on the golf course. Though this was not just any round of golf, Son.
Several years ago, long before your arrival in fact, your mother learned of a little boy who was battling a form of cancer. That cancer would eventually get the better of this little spirited warrior, and he lost his battle only days before his first birthday. His name was Declan Carmical.
While Declan was in the throws of his fight your Mommy reached out to his Mommy and Daddy and offered to help in any way possible. Perfect strangers though under extraordinary circumstances and simply put, they needed our help. Thankfully your mother is nothing is not giving, and so she started talking to the family and we brainstormed as to how we may be able to help... With my connection to the motorcycle community, and Mommy's expertise in managing both processes and people, we were able to throw together a nice little motorcycle event in an effort to raise a little money because, at the end of it all, that's really all we had to offer... Still, it wasn't enough in so far as what they needed to get them over them hump with regard to mounting medical bills and expenses, but it was enough of an effort that the not for profit memorial foundation and pediatric cancer awareness group now known as "Journey for a Cure" was interested in seeking out your mother's time and experience in assisting them by asking her to sit on their board of directors, and so a few times a year Mommy meets with this group to assist them with really anything they need.
In this case it was simply a matter of time and donation, and thankfully your Aunt Jennifer and her company was all to happy to not only sponsor a hole on the golf tournament, but also pay for our round... And all in the name of one of the more worthwhile charities I could ever imagine.
Declan and the Carmical family aren't ever to far from our thoughts, Son. In fact, while on the course today I had to take a moment to catch my breath, for I couldn't possibly imagine what they went through and wouldn't even let the thought creep into my head as to what I would do should something, anything, happen to you. No parent should ever know that pain, Boy'O. Ever.
Rest in peace, Declan. You'll forever be in our thoughts...
As for you, Son, your life is testament to how all people should live in a perfect world. Happy, healthy, and loving. It's all I could wish for anybody with children of their own.
I love you, Conor.
-Dad
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