Cancer Is A Lemon

Money is typically the last thing on your mind while sitting quietly beside the bed of someone you love and realizing they may not be with you tomorrow.

However, circumstances dictated my thought process a little different. 

This past week I once again was given the opportunity to teach local school children how to own and operate a Lemonade Stand. As one hundred 5^th graders listened intently, I spoke to them about the expense, income and possible profit of a lemonade stand.  Having taught this class multiple times, it seemed to roll off my tongue even when my heart was somewhere totally different.

You see the next day I would go to see my 13 year old nephew who was battling cancer and losing the fight. As I sat in his dark room with only a lamp on, praying and seeking answers, I couldn’t help but reflect on the faces of the boys and girls I taught the day before.  “Did they realize the possibilities, the opportunities they have? The ones this sweet boy would never have. Did they even understand the only thing that stands in the way of their success was them”? Maybe not, but I felt stronger than ever that it is our responsibility to teach and encourage them to turn lemons into lemonade. Because I firmly believe this generation will move mountains through difficult times and will personally be able to save the lives of cancer patients. And who knows, maybe they will say “their path to success started with a lemonade stand”!

{Note: On April 23rd, 2016, my nephew went home to be with Jesus}