Times were changing rapidly for the Williams family. The father James or Jim as most people called him was a rugged blue collar man. Working in anything from mines to construction to support his family. Jim’s wife Sarah was a stay at home mom to there two sons. The boys James Jr or “JJ” for short and Timothy ages nine and twelve respectively. While the boys were off at school Sarah would make sure the home was safe clean and welcoming for her little family. This core unit represented what traditional family means. Meals were eaten at the dining room table once prepared. The boys knew that this time was when Jim would ask them what they did at school, or how an after school practice went. Everything seemed normal in the Williams family. That was until Jim got very sick. Jim who had hardly ever missed a days work had become a man barely capable of making it thru a day. After a few days of this Sarah convinced Jim to go to the doctor. The results of the Doctors testing revealed something that left the family in shock. Jim at the middle age of forty-five had been diagnosed with cancer. With a low chance of recovery, and an unknown timetable of life remaining. The family was torn apart emotionally the boys struggled with there school work. Engaging in sports or after school activities had gone by the way side. Now they came straight home to help

care for both the home and there father. After a few months hope shined thru on the family slightly as Jim’s condition stabilized somewhat. Even still the hard working family man had been reduced to a shell of his former self already. The disease had thinned his hair to wisps. The once large build of a hard working man was now a frail looking man thirty years his senior. In this period doctors hoped maybe Jim would be able to make a recovery. Until further testing during an appointment showed Jim’s cancer was spreading throughout his body. What had started in his colon now spread to his liver and bladder. His kidneys were beginning to struggle to operate properly. Jim was given only another two months to live. After about thirty-five days Sarah brought Jim back in after he had been coughing up blood for the previous week. The doctors told Sarah there was little chance Jim would come back home. Sarah prepared herself to tel the boys about there father. All three of them cried heavily for the next few days. Five days after Sarah had Jim admitted to the hospital they called and told Sarah she needed to come urgently. Jim was given only another hour or two to live. Upon arrival Jim looked up at Sarah and smiled weakly. Sarah leaned down and gave Jim a kiss on the forehead and held his hand. Jim told Sarah how much he loved her and the boys. Sarah with tears in her eyes knew Jim was fading fast. Doctors sensing this to tried to intervene, and get Sarah out so they could preform life saving measures. Jim however didn’t want that. Jim wanted to go with his wife by his side and his hand holding hers. Jim’s final moments came with the words Sarah I love you. Tell the boys I love them as well. Jims final words were in spirit and in body I held her hand tight _with_ no plans of ever letting go.