A child died today.

A funny little boy with an abundance of freckles and a unique way of pronouncing his r’s. A boy with an infectious smile and a love of Poke’mon and video games. He was a son, brother, friend, loved by many, missed by all.

World, you have no idea what you’ve missed out on! No concept of what you’ve lost. He left behind unlived dreams, unfulfilled potential. He leaves the memory of laughter, a history of strength, and the legacy of a warrior.

In 9 years he fought harder, endured more, withstood things a child should never know. He never remembered a life without cancer, he spent the last 5 years battling it. Today that disease won over his body. It couldn’t take it anymore. It had no more to give and today he left that body behind.

He left behind the disease, the pain, the suffering. For that we have to be thankful, he is beyond the weaknesses of a physical body.

He left behind parents who will never forget the feel of his hugs, and will always ache for those arms to wrap around her neck again.

He left behind sisters who will listen for his voice, whose lives will always be emptier for missing it.

He left behind a world that is far less for him not being a part of it anymore.

I pray for the peace and comfort of his family and the friends that have to face the days ahead without him. I pray for those who will mourn him and grieve for the existence of this disease that robs families of their children and children of their lives. I pray that Heaven’s gates opened this morning and welcomed him into eternal joy.

Tonight I’ll be holding my children tighter, hoping that no one ever has to write these words about us. I’ll hug my daughter and beg God to let the cancer stay out of her body.

I’ll cry. I’ll fear. I’ll hurt.

I’ll know it’s nothing compared to the pain that his family is going through.