Rest in peace...

"People have to live their lives anticipating separation..."

I could not help but cry. I wrote about Beany (豆豆）about two years ago. Headline news today: "Little Cancer Warrior Beany left".

Reading the story touched me very much. The nine-year old boy has been in and out of hospital for three years battling neurblastoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the  nervous system in children and infants. He never cried in front of his parents, he never complained of hardship and wanting to give up in front of his parents, for fear of hurting his parents. Just before he left this world, he told his mother he did not feel his illness will get better, and when it comes to that day "please do not be sad everyone!"

What is amazing about this boy is his optimism and care for the wellbeing of other people.  Even when he was really unwell, he would ask how his brother and his sister are doing. He told his classmates who came to visit at the hospital to save a seat for him for the day he returns. And in order to help cover medical expenses, he was often seen at the side of the road helping his parents sell sweets and candy. Again and again, the family refused to accept donations from people, even when Beany's condition caught the news media.

Dozens of chemotherapies, several surgeries later, cancer still won and took this little, brave angel away from this world.

What was the purpose of his brief nine years on this world?

Perhaps to inspire other children, for his struggles and life story has become a chapter in the local school curriculum.

What was the meaning of all those treatments and pain he had to undergo?

Perhaps to show his parents, his siblings the meaning of love and how it can bring together a family, even facing the direst of circumstances.
 In those final hours, the nurses who have spent months taking care of this beautiful, bold boy sang the song to him: "Can only miss you"..

Rest in peace, Beany... A lot of people have been touched by your courage and your innocence. You have given me another reason to be strong, to care, and to love, no matter what...

 (translation mine)

Love, lost love cannot be asked back.
I still have words I want to say to you,
[I] cannot bare to say them, [I] cannot say them in time.
The words at parting are the most difficult to come out of the mouth.
You will find new life,
I will collect my sadness,
Believe everything was worth it.

Let go and go!
I wish you good fortune and happiness
Fly freely with angels at your side.
Let go and leave!
Except for remembering the radiance of your smile and voice,
[I] can only miss you…