((HT: Seattle Times/Ringer))
In an article in the Everett Herald, reporter Rich Myhre posed a thought this way:
Of all the great and often tragic mysteries of life, perhaps none is more perplexing than this: Why do children, who have so much yet to live and love, sometimes suffer from terrifying diseases that can kill them? Because in a truly just world, no child would ever hear the words, “You have cancer.”
You don't want to hear those words, regardless of family age, place, position, or distance from the origin, but for some they're unavoidable...
You want to ask "why," but you know the answers won't satisfy any curiosity. And for kids, it's doubly cruel. Attacked so young, their parents feel they've failed in some way. They can't protect the ones they love the most and have sworn up and down that they would from the beginning. Kids feel the same way. They've let their parents down in the idea that they're not the perfect image of what they want them to become as they grow older...
Some kids won't even get that chance...
Lynnwood, Washington's Ashley Aven was diagnosed with AML leukemia when she was 17. Her softball prowess has given way to chemotherapy and a to-do list since she was told she's terminal.
Gee, thanks...
In January, she was given two months to live. So far, Ashley and her family have thumbed their nose at the timetable. She can't attend school, but she has a diploma waiting for her. And she makes a point to attend as many Meadowdale High practices and games as she can.
The Avens have vowed to make this spring a memorable one for their daughter...
They already have for many others...
Here's a brief interview with Ashley's dad about what they're going through...
Myhre's piece for the Everett ((WA)) Herald is here...
Another quality read...
Ashley turned 18 three weeks ago...just so you know...
And she wants to let everyone know she's not going anywhere...
Here's the story KING5-TV's Elisa Hahn put together in February when Ashley was awarded her letterman's jacket...
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