Common Denominator (Roxy)
The term “common denominator” takes most people back to 5th grade math, and sends some of us right into a cold sweat. Outside of mathematics though, a common denominator is defined by a common feature shared by a group. Some factor that brings everyone together. Wait Training is a common denominator of sorts. It’s a blog about life, and death, and love, and loss. It’s an online community that rallies around each other to celebrate or mourn depending on the season. When people ask me what Wait Training is about, I can honestly say it’s about everything that we all have in common.
When you find out someone has something in common with you, sometimes you get excited and think, “Me too!” Other times you are reminded of somewhere you never wanted to go in the first place and think, “Oh no.”
This happened to me recently when I heard about a student at Fred J. Hums Elementary where I teach. Childhood cancer is one common denominator I share with a kindergarten student named Kira. She was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Alveoar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a muscular cancer. She has been receiving chemotherapy treatments at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
Two years ago when I was thinking of transferring to Hums, I wrote a blog piece called “Pro’s and Con’s.” What really tipped the scale encouraging me to make that move was the people. The students, the staff, and the parents at Hums impressed me then, and they continue to amaze me today. Kindness is everywhere in that building! Our student council members, led by a few fantastic teachers, have taken the initiative to start a fund called “Koins for Kira.” Their goal is to help Kira’s family pay for transportation to and from Indianapolis, and alleviate some of the medical bills. Every day the students place coins in their homeroom bag. Every day one very special (and extremely handsome) 2nd grader comes around with a wagon to collect those coins. And on Fridays at 3:15, the teachers somehow manage to find a second wind and stay late (sometimes after 5:30) to count their class’s coins. Last week, I had chills as I was counting.
I’m sad to say that childhood cancer is the factor I have in common with Kira because I know how scary it is. I remember traveling to and from Indianapolis. I remember losing my hair. I remember feeling weak and tired. BUT...I also remember my doctor saying I was cancer free. I remember the visits to Indianapolis becoming less frequent. I remember my hair growing back and my energy level returning to what it was before I got sick. I cannot wait for the day when I can give this brave little girl a high-five and welcome her into the Survivor’s Club.
In the meantime, I’d like to do what I can to help her family. This is why my family made a donation. Wait Training LLC. is making a donation as well. We invite you to join us donating and praying for Kira and her family.
Generosity, compassion, and a community who rallies to help a child...these are some of my favorite common denominators. Modeling empathy and compassion for our entire campus as students K-6th grade pitch in to support one of their youngest classmates... It doesn’t get much better than that!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/kira-quotbeanquot-talboom
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