Talking to Maggie.

Most know that Sue and I have two children. Maggie is six and Thomas will be 2 on April 19th. As you can imagine, most of the fears for my future centered around these two innocent children who didn't sign up for this. Thomas is too young to be aware of or comprehend any of this, but Maggie is very aware. We had been telling her that Daddy was sick, but we knew that this was only going to hold her off for so long. Sue gave me a little kick in the butt on Friday, telling me that we really had to talk to her. She even told me that she would do most of the talking if I needed. At Friday's dinner table, Sue had yet to sit down, when Maggie stated, "So what's going on with Dad?" Sue and I looked at each other and knew that this was it. I told Maggie that Daddy has a boo-boo in his head. There's something that is growing in there that shouldn't be and the doctors have to take it out. She asked if I had to have surgery (she is familiar with this because of the hernia repair I had in February). I told her I did need surgery and that I would be away for several days. I also told her that Daddy would look a little different after the surgery to which she did get a little upset, but she bounced back when she learned that Grandma and Grandpa would be coming from Rochester to take care of her and Thomas. We told her that if she had any questions, she could ask us or her grandparents or her teachers at school or church.

Since then, Maggie periodically checks in with e just like her mother. "How's it going Dad? Are you feeling OK?" She is so smart and beautiful (must get it from Mom). I 'm so proud of her. She is such a very strong willed kid, but at times it comes in handy. I love watching her grow and I hope I can dance around the house with her again soon!