ROBERT PRADO
By Alice Prado
He was not a tall man
And yet, he was the tallest man I knew.
He quit school in the 11th grade
But never stopped learning.
He didn't think of himself as a smart man, but he was wrong.
He taught his children and grandchildren the beauty of nature.
The love of stars, birds, flowers, photography and painting.
Then, in his later years, his love of poetry.
He was a quiet man
And yet he was the center from which our family got strength.
He always worked hard to provide for us.
When the kids were growing up, he always had two jobs.
He would come home from one job, sleep a short time and then go the second job.
He did this for many years. He never complained.
He didn't get to relax with his children as much as he would have liked.
If you asked them, he was always there.
Because, the times he did spend with them were always filled with laughter.
He loved spending time with the grandchildren and getting to know them.
He loved watching them grow. It was one of his greatest joys.
He was very proud of his family. He would say to me, "We did a good job!"
He had pancreatic cancer nine years ago. It was a miracle he survived.
We were blessed to have nine more years of wonderful memories with him.
Nine more years of his love to help us carry on.
Thank you, Robert. Thank you for everything you have given us. We love you very much.
Robert Prado survived pancreatic cancer for nine years. He became interested in poetry, was named Poet Laureate for the City of Duarte, and was a guest speaker at Survivor's Day at City of Hope. His poems, paintings and photography reflected a unique perspective. Robert died in October 2007.
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT CANCER THROUGH THE EYES OF MY SON
by Annelyn Santos, R.N. 6th floor Helford Hospital
What I learned about cancer through the eyes of my son is that cancer is not the big boogey man out to get you.
Cancer is a disease that needs to be fought head on. It should not let it stop you from doing the things you like to do.
It should not stop you from living.
Through my sons eyes I saw when he feels bad he lies down and sleeps. If he feels good he does what ever he wants
to do. He goes out to play, he likes to have fun and tries to do things a normal child should do. He also taught his classmates about his disease in a way that only a child can teach another child. I am proud of him for that because the kids in his kindergarten class became more sensitive and aware of other kids like him. He taught his teachers sensitivity
and empathy for kids just like him. He taught kids cancer is something that nobody should be afraid of.
The biggest thing I learned about cancer through him is that it helped me understand how each family and patient
feels while here at City of Hope. He taught me to see things through their eyes. I learned to make my patients laugh when they are down and give them a hug when they need it. Plenty of hugs go a long way to help people feel better.
Even a smile or a hello makes people fighting this disease feel better. So I often tell my friends and family to say hi
or hello or just smile. You never know who might need it just like what my son taught me.
This letter is for my son Adam who has fought his disease since he was 1 year old and is now 6 years old.
As of now he is disease free for 11 months and counting.
ORIGINAL POEMS SUBMITTED BY ANNA ESCOBOSA
Daybreak
As I walk out to my balcony, to see the mountains on high, there is a trace of light filtering through the early morning sky.
The faint whispers of a few crickets can still be heard as a new dawn draws near. The smell of the morning dew on the earth lingers in the air. Another day is beginning and soon the warmth of the sun will be here.
Wildflowers
Oh, lay my ashes by the river’s bed. Lay them where the wildflowers grow and the river flows.
Spread them out among the flowers and trees so they may be swift up by a gentle breeze.
And when we're apart you will find my heart where the wildflowers grow near the river as it flows.
Fairies for Nikole
A gentle breeze sweeps the sky; the trees move softy, the brook flows slowly down the mountainside.
The light of the day filters through their fragile wings, showing the prisms of color, red, blue, yellow and greens.
With soft long hair and flatting wings they fly through the air on a summer breeze.
Walk softly as you pass by, there is one sitting on a leaf and another in the sky.
City of Hope’s departments of Patient, Family and Community Education and Communications produce Hope Notes. Please contact Linda Baginski, editor, at 626-256-4673, ext. 62682, fax 626-301-8868 or e-mail: lbaginski@coh.org.
