He was there

We found out last night that Robert H. has thyroid cancer. Cancer is a word you never want to put in the same sentence with someone you love. He went into the hospital last Thursday to have a growth removed from his neck. It came back as positive for Thyroid cancer. Don't ask me why they use the word "positive" and cancer in the same diagnosis. I think we are all in quite a bit of shock and fear as we look forward to the upcoming weeks in helping him fight this beast. I feel pretty helpless in the whole situation. I feel a need to be strong for Jon, but saddened myself. I think of him as the closest second to my father I could have. He has been there for us through thick and thin. Jon and I have had a crazy road together with business and personal life. He has been there for it all. He was there when Jon was little and wanted 50 bunnies, 10 cats, chickens and a dog. He was there when he was a little older and wanted to start his own business at the tender age of eight. He always taught him to work hard and to be honest. He taught Jon that he could accomplish anything he wanted if he worked hard. He was there when Jon was a young teenager. He tried to be patient with him as he was entering into the hard years and being obstinate. He taught him all he could and decided at some points that the way to be there for Jon was to step back. Some may think that the harder you push your child, the more love you show but I believe it to be the exact opposite. I think real love is to teach them and then let the child make their mistakes. Jon was going to do what he wanted to do no matter who got in his way. Through all of the ups and downs Jon and his dad kept their relationship and it wasn't because of control. As I enter into being a parent of a teenager I have seen how hard this is to do. He was there when Jon took the misfiled prescription. He personally drove out to find his son in the fields of grass and swamp of Scipio. He was there all the way through that process. He was there when we didn't have food to eat or a house to live in. He was there when Jon needed a job after loosing his first business. He was there for hundreds of people on three separate missions that he served. He has always been a busy guy with a project. These projects and jobs that he involves himself with are to show love. There are different ways to show love. Jon and his dad both show love for their family by working.

Right now as I type, Jon is sleeping at the hospital by dads side. This is a true friendship and love.