I’ve been keeping up with the Caring Bridge Journal for Walker Rainey, son of Chad and Missy Rainey. Missy and I were in our church youth group together, and though we weren’t ever really close friends (different ages/different circles), I feel a special connection to her now because my Jack is only a few weeks older than Walker.
Walker was recently diagnosed with cancer and has already had surgery to remove a kidney as well as chemotherapy treatments. My heart is literally breaking for them, because I look at my little one and can’t even imagine the reality they are facing. My heart won’t let me.
Their faith is inspiring. No matter what, they continue to hope and have faith that God is in total control. And they continue to praise Him. That’s the part that doesn’t always come easy in situations like this, but it’s when God can really show us most who He is.
Sunday’s journal entry struck me and was finally the thing that prompted this post. Missy writes that on the way home from the grocery store at the end of a great weekend with Walker, she reached over to pull a piece of lint from his hair – and the hair came with it. Our little Jack was born with a decent amount of dark hair which all fell out after a few months (as happens with most babies) and was replaced with a lighter peach fuzz. It has taken forever to grow in. Lately though, we’ve been commenting on how much hair he is getting – something that in all likelihood will continue until he grows a full head of beautiful hair. It is something that up to the moment I read her entry, I have taken for granted. And that is one of the reasons that I continue to follow Walker’s journal. I read it because I want to pray for their specific needs and to be a silent support, but also to remind me to cherish every moment that my child is healthy. Because in an instant we could find ourselves walking in their shoes.
