A Jon Post
Like a Son
“Uncle Jon” came the small voice over the phone, “Tomorrow I’m leaving to go home!”
Immediately joy, excitement, fear for his safety, and heart-dropping-sadness all warred for my emotions. Little Tomé, after two years of living alone in the hospital, was going home.
He finished his final chemo treatment early last month, waited a week for a CT scan, another week for an ultrasound, another week for a blood test, and was finally given his discharge last week. He left for home at 2 AM Friday morning.
Earlier this week when he told me he was so close to going home, I went out and bought him a pre-pay cell phone and loaded it with credit.
“Keep this phone with you and if you need anything or just want to talk, you call me and Uncle Jon will be there for you.” I told him.
We’ve spoken about 3 or 4 times every day since he left.
Sitting on the bus, eating dinner, arriving at a town about halfway home, waiting for the next bus… he calls and we talk. He has never owned a phone before so he is comically unaware of phone etiquette but his smile is obvious when he speaks and his laugh infectious. “How is Aunt Layne? How is Anaya? What did you eat for dinner? How is everyone at the hospital? Is your dog there? Where are you? Do you like buses?” and on and on it goes and we laugh together while I hold in the tears long enough to get off the phone and miss this little boy who became like a son to me.
And even though this work brings so much pain, it brings more joy. So we’ll keep doing it.
Please pray that Tomé stays healthy, that his cancer stays in remission and that we see him again.
Thanks.
that is such a cool idea and great experience for him! and it shows him very boldly and tangibly your love. Gods love as a Father will not be hard for him to understand, and praying will come easier all because of your blatant, lavish open line of communication. you let him know you still “want ” him.
Yes, Heather, yes!! Tome is so loved, … so WANTED. I pray that this metaphor of God’s Father heart has been clearly seen, not only by Tome, but by the many others at the hospital who are also very much loved and wanted.
We, your friends and supporters at home, love and want them too, Jon and Layne.
So neat bro. I wish I could meet Tome.
Way to go Uncle Jon – God is smiling at you every time Tome calls. We will keep praying for Tome – going to put his name on the refrigerator with all those pictures of Anaya that Vicki made for me. You and Layne bless the Kingdom sooo much. We love you!!
Jon and Layne, you two will need cranes to help support your crowns in heaven…amazing love!
So much better to say goodbye this way, than goodbye to Heaven. Praise God for Tome’s health!! I will continue to pray for him and his family. Praise God he is loved, good job Uncle Jon and Aunt Layne;)
I love you Jon for loving that little boy ….