Will Not See 40

Yesterday, our family celebrated my oldest daughter’s 40th birthday.  Grandson Hayes, with Duchenne, was a pistol. Sure wish I had his energy when he is entertaining, at least in small doses.

As I wrote my first draft of this essay, I focused on a sad comment made by my daughter towards the end of the family gathering. Namely, that Hayes likely would not see his 40th birthday, which certainly is a sobering thought.

Also, towards the end of the family gathering, we toasted my wife’s endearing father, Poppy, who was an exceedingly kind, loving, readily available and generous grandfather to each of our now adult children growing up. He was my best friend during that golden era for our family until he passed, on this day in 2003.

Poppy was a veteran who served on naval ships during WWII. He made sure officers and crew ate well. He carried over that skill to the private sector where he ran a successful restaurant business in Birmingham for decades.

How am I mixing Duchenne with veteran service? Our freedom today is constructed, in part, on the blood, toil, and loss of those Americans who served and fought to preserve that freedom for Americans and others alike. Hundreds of thousands of American warriors (land, sea and air) did not reach 40 years old, or even 30, and will not in the future, because of their brave service to country.  They have the deep gratitude of our families and the unconditional love of God.

Likewise, our Duchenne children will continue to fight the good fight as they live each day the best they can under their given circumstances. And, like the battle warriors, our Duchenne children are profoundly loved by family and God.

Thank you, veterans, for your service. And, thank you Duchenne stakeholders who remain steadfast in our quest to end Duchenne during this generation.

Kindly,

Papa in Tennessee