Relentless

One of my greatest take-aways from our experience with childhood cancer is that more people need to become grief-literate. More people need to learn how to support people in their lives who are experiencing profound loss. More people need to learn what NOT to do or say when people in their lives are experiencing profound loss. I listened to this two-part podcast this week - two dads sharing and supporting one another in the aftermath of their sons' tragic deaths.

Relentless Podcast - 2 fathers discuss loss, grief & aftermath of heartbreaking tragedy - Part 1

Part 2. Chris Joseph & Kyle Dubé - 2 Fathers discuss loss, grief & aftermath of heartbreaking tragedy.

* You can watch the video / listen via the link or in your podcast app.

* Contains discussions of teen/young adult deaths by vehicle crash and suicide.

I tried really hard to format the links to look the same but there's a gremlin in the formatting.

Both are links to the podcast episode web pages.

he got himself a mullet.

The first few weeks of April have become a major point of reflection for me, since cancer came to our family 9 years ago. In some ways it feels like a lifetime, and sometimes the memories take me right back to those early, uncertain days. Like when I hear of a child we met at RMH passing away after numerous relapses, or a young adult (still her mama’s baby girl) being diagnosed. Or when I’m in a room of about 15 baseball volunteers from our valley and THREE of us are parents of a kid who has had cancer. Childhood cancer is not rare and it is relentless and we need to find safer and more effective treatment protocols so that more kids get to become “long-term survivors” like mine has. “Long term” is only 5 years past diagnosis date, which really isn’t that long at all. Always, ever, so very grateful that we get to watch him grow and live his life to the fullest. Every kid deserves to get a mullet haircut if they so choose. That, he did.

Tommy's Award

April 10. In 2014 he was flown to BC Children’s hospital to begin life saving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. That lasted 3 years. One of his biggest asks for when he was finished treatment was to join his friends in minor hockey. It wasn’t long before we realized hockey would become a big thing in his life.

4-10-2022 was a really special day as we got to gather with our hockey family and community to celebrate the season for all the players. JZ was honoured with two awards - Most Dedicated from his coaches and the Tom Trottier Memorial Award for Most Sportsmanlike Defenseman (Association award).

With Steve Beck & Jenny Fawcett
Jenny is the Mom of an ALL Survivor,
so this was pretty special for her to present.

I learned a little bit about Tommy, as his sister calls him. What she told me makes this award extra special to me, as a Mom. “He died while peacekeeping in Cypress in 1988. He was a twin to Gerry (also served for Canada) and brother to 2 sisters. He was 21 when he died. My parents wanted to preserve his existence in this world by a reward to local minor hockey, something that we all grew up with here in Lake Cowichan. Tommy’s legacy is one of fairness, fun, humour, loyalty and love. We remember him with great love and at the same time humour, fun zest for life and unconditional love for family and friends. I would like to thank you for asking. It means so much. I’m proud that your child won this award. Time goes on, love never dies.”

Private Thomas Julien Trottier
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
3rd Battalion - United Nations Forces In Cyprus
Died April 25, 1988

4-2-2023: My guy. Once again honoured by the grownups in his life, recognizing him for his character and quiet leadership on and off the ice.

Tom Trottier Memorial Award for Most Sportsmanlike Defenseman
Presented by LCDMHA President / Coach / Mentor - Steve Beck