A brigade of first responders lead a birthday drive-by to support a boy’s battle with cancer.
This is a true story. A story of light. A story of virtue. A story—it’s my hope—that provides a moment of clarity amidst so much indignant noise. And so it goes...
From the Covid-19 pandemic taking an unprecedented number of lives and ravaging our economy, to country-wide protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death and recent shooting of Jacob Blake, all while Republicans and Democrats draw even deeper lines in the sand, 2020 has certainly been a tumultuous year. Yet among the thunderous voices echoing outrage and distrust of partisan agendas, our 13-year-old son has been fighting for his life. Our son Jacob has cancer.
Since his diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins High Risk B-Cell Lymphoma, Jacob has been undergoing in-patient treatment, hospitalized for 67 days since mid June, and yesterday began his fourth round of chemotherapy, which will be followed by a fifth, and hopefully, final round.
I share this not to solicit sympathy. (Close family and friends have been notified, and Jacob is responding positively to treatment). I share to add context to Jacob’s 14th surprise birthday drive-by procession. Spending countless days and nights in the hospital, surrounded by medical professionals who devote their lives to help people has reestablished my belief that there is a whole lot of goodness in humanity.
I’m saddened, however, to see the United States of America rapidly descend into polarized extremes, fueled by propaganda from all sides. We can support Black Lives Matter, a movement that goes far beyond race, acknowledging social inequities from education and housing as well as disparities created by socio-economics that contribute to feeling marginalized and disenfranchised. Black Lives Matter is not a personal attack on law enforcement. Conversely, it’s a campaign striving for equity that crosses international borders.
Is it possible to support a movement that asks for empathy and equilibrium while concurrently admiring and embracing benevolent work of community police officers and fire fighters? I say yes. We are not required to pledge fidelity to one side or the other. We can appreciate various opinions, diverse viewpoints, and assorted positions. I believe the vast majority of Americans desire a healthier, more peaceful society, yet that requires the willingness to sit down at the table and engage in hard conversations, not as adversaries, but as teammates. When we work together to solve societal problems, we achieve great things, but if we strike like gladiators, we inevitably will fall on our own swords.
When our son Jacob was fortunate to be discharged for a weekend at home during his birthday this Labor Day, my aunt Helen from Wisconsin contacted local law enforcement and fire departments, and they delivered a surprise birthday drive-by to a boy with cancer.
There were 35 vehicles that participated in the united caravan, 18 of which were first response vehicles, represented by six different local departments: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s, Los Angeles County Fire, San Gabriel Police Dept., San Gabriel Fire, Monterey Park Fire Dept., and San Marino Fire Dept. Special thanks go out to Chief Chris Eakman (San Gabriel Fire Dept.) and Joe Araujo (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept.).
The other 17 cars included a diverse community of family and friends. African Americans, Mexican Americans, Chinese Americans, Korean Americans, Taiwanese Americans, Cuban Americans, and Italian Americans were all represented, driving in joyous solidarity. If we can come together as a country just as law enforcement, fire fighters, and a diversified community bonded to support one sick boy, I have abundant hope for our future.
#blacklivesmatter #equality #listening #understanding #empathy #peace