One year ago today we lost our son, Kyle Joseph.  He was only seven.  He died of a brain tumor.  Cancer.

He battled this illness since the age of four with the heart of a lion, but soon the cancer became too much for his little body to handle and he peacefully flew into the arms of Jesus.  We miss him so much.

Kyle loved bugs, worms, toy cars and trucks, dirt, and making mud pies, but his illness often prevented him from enjoying these simple childhood pleasures.  Yet he never lost his smile or his spirit.  He also loved rainbows; every time there was a rainbow, Kyle would remark, "Oooh, look, Mommy: Jesus is smiling at me.  See?  See Jesus?"  

We felt that our son knew a lot more than what most four-year-olds did; he would often talk about Jesus, God, and the angels, especially if there were rainbows.  He associated rainbows with Heaven, Jesus, and God, and everything that was good about the world.  Whenever he had surgeries or was in the hospital, we would talk about God and happy things, anything to take his young mind off the frightening treatments or procedures that he would have to endure, but to us, it was no small relief.  Our hearts broke at the battles our little warrior boy faced.

The day we lost him (one year ago today) was the worst event we could have ever faced.  We hoped with our heart or hearts that Kyle would somehow beat this "dragon" called cancer, but it wasn't meant to be: God had other plans.  He wanted to take Kyle home, to be with Him forever, in Heaven.

We somehow got through the dark period following his passing, but it isn't easy, especially today; however, if there is any consolation, there was a big, bright, beautiful rainbow in the sky following the thunderstorm that passed through our area.  It was as if Kyle himself was saying: "Look!  Look!  Look, Mommy and Daddy!  It's me, it's ME!! Kyle!  I'm with Jesus, and I am having the best, happiest time of my life!!"  

Through our tears, we found something to smile about.  We felt the comfort of God's arms resting upon our shoulders and His peace surging through our hearts.  We knew that our son was in good hands and that He had received his Ulitimate Healing and was now healthy, happy, and whole, not to mention, totally free of the cancer that had taken his young life.