It Is With Great Sadness...

...that I write today.  I don't know how many of you know, but Anthony is a little boy that I... tend.  I hesitate using the word tend because it seems like such a casual way to describe what really takes place when you care for a child.  Three years ago, I reluctantly agreed to watch Anthony a couple days a week.  Dylan was two years old and I was trying to help make up our budget deficit and still be able to be home with Dylan.  Taking care of another child didn't seem like the easiest way to make a little extra money, but I was willing to give it a try.  It was through a mutual friend that I found out about Anthony, but soon realized that his parents knew my parents very well, which added greatly to their trust in my ability to care for their son.  It was kind of a weird twist of fate - and what Marcos and I have since thought was meant to be...for whatever reason.  Dylan had just turned 2 and Anthony was not quite 1 yet, but they hit it off right away.  Dylan was protective and loving with Anthony and it was soon very clear that they would be great friends.  Since the day we met Anthony (almost exactly 3 years ago), he has become more like family to us.  When I have Anthony, he's like a member of the family.  I take him to the park, the zoo, swimming or wherever we may be going - the same way I would do if he were my own child.  At times it has been challenging to juggle another child, but it's been a true blessing to have him (and his family) in our lives as well as be able to have a little extra income to help when things are tight.  I cannot even begin to describe what a big part of our lives Anthony has become.  My children look forward to his arrival and miss him when he's gone.  He is like a brother to them and has become like a son to me.  

Anthony's mom was diagnosed with cancer last year.  They were cautiously optimistic throughout her treatment and things looked up for awhile, but the last few months have been tough.  She lost her battle to this horrible disease yesterday morning.  I kept Anthony over night on Friday because she had taken a turn for the worse and Anthony's dad was afraid to leave her.  When he called me in the morning, she had just passed away.  I've never been in a position to have to smile through news like that for a child before.  I kept Anthony longer than we had planned so Dave (the dad) could get started with the funeral arrangements.  We took Anthony with us to Dylan's soccer game.  I was watching him play with such child-like innocence and it just broke my heart to think of this little boy not having his mommy with him as he grows up.  I know she was suffering and that death is not always the worst thing that can happen, but it's still sad - and very difficult for those left behind to mourn.  

I try to keep most of what involves Anthony private because he's not my child and I don't feel like it's my place, but I just had to talk about this.  I know it's going to be a difficult road for Anthony and his dad and that our family will probably be a big part of that journey.  I won't say much more until there is an official obituary I can post or something so that I don't say more publicly than they would want said, but I am grateful to have this family in our lives.  Please keep them (and us) in your prayers at this difficult time.