long, but worth the read.
so once i knew this boy who was diagnosed with cancer when he was 7 years old. it was a tragic time for his family, and they all had a really hard time facing that he only had a few months left in this life. 4 months after his diagnosis, the little boy was in the hospital, and most likely would never leave. the doctors had predicted that he only had a few more days at this point, but 2 months later he was still alive. the father came to him one day and told his son that his 8th birthday was only a few days away, and if he was still alive at that point, the dad would buy him whatever he wanted in the whole world. the boy said to his father "all i want is one ping pong ball. nothing else, just the one ball." the father presumed that the boy was delusional from is pain medication, so he went to the toy store looking for the right toy for his failing song. he looked at bikes, and video games, and stuffed animals, but couldnt make up his mind which would be the best. the next day, he asked his boy again what he wanted for his last birthday, and again the dying child claimed that all he could ask for was one ping pong ball; nothing else would satisfy him. the Father went this time to another toy store and looked at model airplanes and trampolines and lego sets, and it was all so terrific that he could not decide which would be the best gift he ever gave. the next day, the boy was getting even sicker. his bald head carried a raging fever, and his hands were like ice. the father asked him what he wanted for his birthday. the child feebly whispered "all i want is a ping pong ball." terrified by his son's condition and not knowing what to do, the father settled on buying a ping pong ball for the ailing 8 year old. on the boy;s birthday, the father presented to him a tiny box, wrapped in red paper with a blue bow. the boy opened it slowly, and pulled out the little white ball as a massive grin spread across his face. he looked at his dad with a happy face for the first time in months, and spoke softly, "Dad, i...." and then he died.
