Young Man Honors his Mother

In a recent newspaper article from The Sun and Press Bulletin, I read about a young man, who had a lung disease from an early age and just received a double lung transplant at UPMC, where I will be going. I think he is all of 17 years old. When I read that, my heart went out to this particular young man because he did not have a normal childhood as we know it.

His mother was his caregiver until she passed away from cancer, I believe. His beloved mother asked his aunt to become his caregiver/mom to him. Her request to her son was to receive his high school diploma. So, this young man, despite his illness, worked with a tutor and completed his studies in honor of his mother and her wishes for him. I just can't imagine facing a lung transplant and in the process of being ill all these years, he loses his mom as well. He must be incredibly strong for one, who is so young.

He would like to come home for graduation, which his family is trying to arrange. He can only come home for the day as he needs to return to Pittsburgh to continue his recuperation. I am so hoping he is able to walk up on that stage and receive that much earned diploma in his hand for himself and his mother. There could not be a finer diploma than this one. His mother, bless her heart, certainly raised an incredibly strong, hardworking, lovable young man. He has truly honored his mother in the most important way. My hope is that his recuperation continues to progress rapidly and he is able to return home to his relatives quickly, who love him so much. Blessings go to him and his family.

May this young man's positive attitude be a guide for all of us when we are faced with unbelievable adversity. He and his mother are shining examples of this.