As June 22, approaches I find myself a little sad, a little mad, a little weary in the fight and yet a time of celebration for the steps forward we have made in this work.

It will be 8 years since we watched our precious Ryan die needlessly.

 

I am sad still that we had to bury our son in the prime of his life and with him much of the prime of our life, with a disease that is vaccine preventable. I am sad that I will never see his smile, hear his voice, feel his hugs again in this life except deep within the memories that flood my heart on a daily basis. Tears flood my heart each time I think I will never see him marry or we will never have a grand child and when Bob and I are gone it is just over. My heart screams each day with the pain of missing him and seeing the sadness that remains on Bob's face.

 

I am mad that kids and young adults are still dying even though we have worked so hard to stop it. That money seems to always be more important that the health and lives of our children. That the medical profession is still more often than not ignorant of this disease and the vaccines. That parents much of the time think it can't happen to their child and refuse to seek vaccinations.

 

After 8 years I am weary in this fight but somehow my faith in God and knowing you all are out there gives me the courage to go on and even celebrate.

 

Knowing that I have you all, my Angel family, makes it just a little more bearable. I look at the steps we have taken forward like the new recommendations for immunizations of adolescents and college freshmen and I celebrate. 

I celebrate the possibility of a group B vaccine coming the US in the next few years. Bitter sweet though it may be. I celebrate the life successes of some of our Earth Bound Angels like Leslie, Carye, Sherry, Jayden, Lindsey, Amanda, Abby, Amanda, Johnny, Sean, David, Buzz, Harley, Tom, Kraig, Kristopher, Jena and Lauren just to name a very few.

I celebrate and walk proudly with those Heaven and Earth Bound Bound parents who have walked this path with me in this fight, never giving up like Michele and Chris, Kate, The Singers, Gail, Patty, Lori, The D'Antonas, Ann, The Menards, Rhonda, Wendy, Martha, Shril, Joi, Jill, Linda, Donna, and the list goes on, so many that my very tired mind can not even name them all so forgive me please if you are not listed.

Most of all I celebrate the life that was Ryan's and the love that he, his dad and I shared.

Today remember to give your kids a hug and tell them how much you love them.

 

Thanks for the love, prayers and support you all continue to give us even after all these years.

Frankie, Mom to Ryan