So Yesterday was a HUGE day. It was June 6th and the anniversary of Daniel’s diagnosis. Some people recognize it, call it an anniversary, a Cancerversary, make it celebration, avoid it all together. I had no idea how I was going to react. I was extremely anxious for it and had a lot of plans and backups in place just in case (yep up to my old ‘planning’ ways I guess) but I was blindsided when I woke up and good old Facebook memory shares brought up a picture I posted last year from out 1 year acknowledgement. It was a picture that some organization took of Daniel and I when he had lost all his hair and had thin eyebrows but still had a huge smile on his face. I remember vividly the day of those pictures . Well it all went to shit and I almost crawled under the covers until I realized where we were and what was happening for the day. I looked over across the room and Daniel was already up and checking his phone and starting his day. Today was not the anniversary of his diagnosis, it was the first day of work for him. Getting him going on most days isn’t easy but today I did not have to ask twice. He was up after one request and getting ready to not only celebrate survival but he was ready to tackle the world.
We were ready to go followed our directions and when we entered the NFL Network compound and went through security we were pre-cleared and on all the lists and expected to arrive bright and early. As we were walking in there were about 8, 20 something young men all in a group convening at the front desk and they all were dressed EXACtly like Daniel. They all eyed him up and down and when someone came out and asked “Are you the interns?” they all quietly stepped forward in unison. They were told to wait over there. Meanwhile we stepped up and introduced ourselves and as we waited a cameraman that we worked with in Denver and a sportscaster from Chicago moseyed by and said “Hey Daniel!” coming up and giving him the Bro hug. This group of interns were like “what the Hell?!?!?!” As our friend and producer David came and retrieved us into the bowels of the studio and left them mouths agape, to spend their summer making copies and running errands I presume. I got a very brief run down after Daniel was shown to his desk and computer and then given the quick boot. Everyone was so quickly welcoming and casual and he was right in his element of sitting at a computer all day looking up football article and facts. Little did I know he would be in meetings and emerged in actual assignments from the get. He started his researching and work and by mid afternoon I came back to watch him record the segment he had been prepping. The funny thing is he did the piece with Mark Istook, who he met and did a Live impromptu interview with at the Super Bowl and again in Chicago and Mark had written note cards while Daniel had nothing and Mark had to start and restart his parts three times while Daniel never missed a beat on his. It was great. It was great to see Daniel’s face when we entered the room he had watched on tv or on the internet a million times from ‘on the couch’. Thousands of interviews maybe and actually the magic disappeared a bit when he saw that it is almost a closet with a green screen. It was so fun they got him miked up with an earpiece so I wasn’t really hearing the inside direction he was getting. They called for make up to take his shine down and started recording. One two three and it was in the can.
A full days work and he was tired and happy and I was once again in awe of this man-child that has grown before my eyes and is now making his way in a professional world. I know he is not quite on his own yet but what a start. He has a week of work lined up and the schedule board in the office was loaded with HAILPERN all over it.
Meanwhile while Daniel was busy working I had some time to myself which was nice but unusual. Not knowing what to do with myself and not wanting to venture too far away, just in case (that nervous feeling never really leaves you I guess) I thought immediately of one person I had to see. This certain person is someone I could not wait to connect with. Being in Los Angeles on this day I am starting to think was not by chance maybe it was meant to be this way and I was meant TODAY to meet another one of my angels. Today we were celebrating Daniel’s achievements but I was on the verge of loosing it at any second potentially. Support and kindness have not always been easily for me to accept or to ask for but This one person has been there supporting me whole heartedly for a very long time, I think since not too long after Daniel’s diagnosis. I can’t remember exactly. I was encouraged to reach out to an organization called Chai Lifeline by my sister, Rochelle and soon after was put in touch with a wonderful sweet voice young girl named Alyssa. She is our representative or case manager if you will for our region in Colorado but lives in Los Angeles. We talk a lot and she has been so kind and wonderful. She calls a lot and talks to me A LOT and talks about Daniel and checks in on him and asks about Matthew a lot and cares about me A LOT. She helped us go on our trip of a lifetime to Israel and the organization has included the boys in some wonderful gift receiving opportunities. They have offered some great experiences for Daniel that maybe one day he will take her up on, but more than anything she calls and we talk and she listens. SO the first chance I had I wanted to meet Alyssa in person. And as always Alyssa made it happen. We met at a cute little Kosher restaurant (so many choices on Pico street). I got a damn parking ticket and it was so worth it because we had a lovely lunch and it was so nice to finally meet the warm, caring voice and she gave the best hugs and I am so grateful she took the time from her busy day to meet me. She has truly been one of the angels of our story and in my life for my needs these past two years and it was so nice to put a hug to a voice over the phone after all this time. Thank you Alyssa for meeting today and being in my life. Chai Lifeline is a wonderful organization that does tremendous work for families in need. I hope I have time later in the week for Daniel and I to make a trip over to their office so that Daniel can meet Alyssa. They have spoke frequently but I would love if we can go thank them at the office for all they have done for us. Giving thanks and gratitude is so important.
After Daniels full day he needed a nap and then we went down to the Santa Monica Pier to eat and explore, watch some fun street entertainers and see a glorious sunset at the end of our day. Each night I am cognizant that none of us are promised any tomorrows and that we should appreciate every moment we have. You know that saying live each moment like it is your last. I think most people say it and it becomes so cliche, because until you are up against a wall like we were… now don’t get me wrong, I am not being righteous here and saying I know more than you , or YOU DON”T KNOW, but I feel like honestly, I am different. I have changed. How could I have not changed, and I think it is for the better. I do think you should live your life differently once you know how easily it can end. You should live every moment like it is your last because you never know. And yes life is too short so don’t waste a damn moment of it. that ‘cliche’ came from somewhere and it was someone that came by it honestly. I am not saying I am original but I can say that it can be gone in the blink of an eye so you better well enjoy it. Right now I am watching my boy enjoy his new found life and that is my joy. That IS a parents joy is to see their child healthy and happy. I have to enjoy every one of these moments. I want two happy moments for every terrible one I experienced these past two years so I have a long way to go. Today was a great start.
Here is the segment Daniel recorded his first afternoon at work.
http://www.nfl.com/share/10103061-7033-0000-0066-71432e453b0f
We were ready to go followed our directions and when we entered the NFL Network compound and went through security we were pre-cleared and on all the lists and expected to arrive bright and early. As we were walking in there were about 8, 20 something young men all in a group convening at the front desk and they all were dressed EXACtly like Daniel. They all eyed him up and down and when someone came out and asked “Are you the interns?” they all quietly stepped forward in unison. They were told to wait over there. Meanwhile we stepped up and introduced ourselves and as we waited a cameraman that we worked with in Denver and a sportscaster from Chicago moseyed by and said “Hey Daniel!” coming up and giving him the Bro hug. This group of interns were like “what the Hell?!?!?!” As our friend and producer David came and retrieved us into the bowels of the studio and left them mouths agape, to spend their summer making copies and running errands I presume. I got a very brief run down after Daniel was shown to his desk and computer and then given the quick boot. Everyone was so quickly welcoming and casual and he was right in his element of sitting at a computer all day looking up football article and facts. Little did I know he would be in meetings and emerged in actual assignments from the get. He started his researching and work and by mid afternoon I came back to watch him record the segment he had been prepping. The funny thing is he did the piece with Mark Istook, who he met and did a Live impromptu interview with at the Super Bowl and again in Chicago and Mark had written note cards while Daniel had nothing and Mark had to start and restart his parts three times while Daniel never missed a beat on his. It was great. It was great to see Daniel’s face when we entered the room he had watched on tv or on the internet a million times from ‘on the couch’. Thousands of interviews maybe and actually the magic disappeared a bit when he saw that it is almost a closet with a green screen. It was so fun they got him miked up with an earpiece so I wasn’t really hearing the inside direction he was getting. They called for make up to take his shine down and started recording. One two three and it was in the can.
A full days work and he was tired and happy and I was once again in awe of this man-child that has grown before my eyes and is now making his way in a professional world. I know he is not quite on his own yet but what a start. He has a week of work lined up and the schedule board in the office was loaded with HAILPERN all over it.
Meanwhile while Daniel was busy working I had some time to myself which was nice but unusual. Not knowing what to do with myself and not wanting to venture too far away, just in case (that nervous feeling never really leaves you I guess) I thought immediately of one person I had to see. This certain person is someone I could not wait to connect with. Being in Los Angeles on this day I am starting to think was not by chance maybe it was meant to be this way and I was meant TODAY to meet another one of my angels. Today we were celebrating Daniel’s achievements but I was on the verge of loosing it at any second potentially. Support and kindness have not always been easily for me to accept or to ask for but This one person has been there supporting me whole heartedly for a very long time, I think since not too long after Daniel’s diagnosis. I can’t remember exactly. I was encouraged to reach out to an organization called Chai Lifeline by my sister, Rochelle and soon after was put in touch with a wonderful sweet voice young girl named Alyssa. She is our representative or case manager if you will for our region in Colorado but lives in Los Angeles. We talk a lot and she has been so kind and wonderful. She calls a lot and talks to me A LOT and talks about Daniel and checks in on him and asks about Matthew a lot and cares about me A LOT. She helped us go on our trip of a lifetime to Israel and the organization has included the boys in some wonderful gift receiving opportunities. They have offered some great experiences for Daniel that maybe one day he will take her up on, but more than anything she calls and we talk and she listens. SO the first chance I had I wanted to meet Alyssa in person. And as always Alyssa made it happen. We met at a cute little Kosher restaurant (so many choices on Pico street). I got a damn parking ticket and it was so worth it because we had a lovely lunch and it was so nice to finally meet the warm, caring voice and she gave the best hugs and I am so grateful she took the time from her busy day to meet me. She has truly been one of the angels of our story and in my life for my needs these past two years and it was so nice to put a hug to a voice over the phone after all this time. Thank you Alyssa for meeting today and being in my life. Chai Lifeline is a wonderful organization that does tremendous work for families in need. I hope I have time later in the week for Daniel and I to make a trip over to their office so that Daniel can meet Alyssa. They have spoke frequently but I would love if we can go thank them at the office for all they have done for us. Giving thanks and gratitude is so important.
After Daniels full day he needed a nap and then we went down to the Santa Monica Pier to eat and explore, watch some fun street entertainers and see a glorious sunset at the end of our day. Each night I am cognizant that none of us are promised any tomorrows and that we should appreciate every moment we have. You know that saying live each moment like it is your last. I think most people say it and it becomes so cliche, because until you are up against a wall like we were… now don’t get me wrong, I am not being righteous here and saying I know more than you , or YOU DON”T KNOW, but I feel like honestly, I am different. I have changed. How could I have not changed, and I think it is for the better. I do think you should live your life differently once you know how easily it can end. You should live every moment like it is your last because you never know. And yes life is too short so don’t waste a damn moment of it. that ‘cliche’ came from somewhere and it was someone that came by it honestly. I am not saying I am original but I can say that it can be gone in the blink of an eye so you better well enjoy it. Right now I am watching my boy enjoy his new found life and that is my joy. That IS a parents joy is to see their child healthy and happy. I have to enjoy every one of these moments. I want two happy moments for every terrible one I experienced these past two years so I have a long way to go. Today was a great start.
Here is the segment Daniel recorded his first afternoon at work.
http://www.nfl.com/share/10103061-7033-0000-0066-71432e453b0f