Friday, April 18, 2008 7:39 PM CDT
COLUMN: Benefits to help Landon Stuckeys of the world bring out the best in us
By HARRY REYNOLDS, Editorial page editor
hreynolds@jg-tc.com
I’ve got a little, rubber fish, with bulging eyes. His mouth is open, like he’s smiling — or, perhaps, gulping as fish do. He sits on top of my computer, a reminder of a time gone by when a baby was in the world.
The little fish came in a cardboard box, sent by some toy company. It was addressed to me. There was some information with it, but I didn’t read it.
We receive all sorts of odd things in the mail. Occasionally, we receive books from small publishing companies wanting to promote first-time authors.
The little fish struck me at a time when the world wasn’t so bright, when God seemed unfair, even cruel. July 15 marks the death of my grandson Ian, who lost a fight with hystiocytosis, an extremely rare disease.
At the time, in 1997, there was no funding for research. Hystiocytosis was an “orphan disease.” Whether it still is, I don’t know. I really don’t want to know. All I know is I want it to stop killing people.
Ian was 2½ months old when he left this world. He’d be 11 on April 27. Hints of what he would look like, I see in the reflections of my other grandson, Lennon, who is 12.
Ian might make it today. Science has been scoring victories against cancers and other diseases. Victory comes in bits and pieces, abrupt, spontaneous, unpredictable. The war harbors lots of surprises.
Human beings are tenacious creatures, at the worst of times they are their best. We’re a greedy creature, sometimes petty and mean, but sometimes we’re something to behold. Magnificent in our generosity, enthralling in our sacrifice and courage.
I speak here of a bit of courage in the package of 10-year-old Landon Stuckey, who committed an act of immeasurable charity during Christmas season last.
He persuaded the Mattoon Police Department, which sponsors the Cops for Kids program, to take him shopping for gifts for the other children facing cancer treatments in a St. Louis hospital.
Landon has T-cell lymphoma cancer. The best way to understand is with the word “chemotherapy.” It’s one of those complicated words we understand.
It’s a common word with an uncommon task to perform: basically, killing more cancer cells than regular cells.
Cops and Stuckey made the trip to the St. Louis hospital where they distributed the toys. Police officers find it tough to deal with things like this. They’re use to drunks, crooks and all sorts of meaness.
The gentleness of a tough man may lay beneath the skin, but it is still there. The breath-taking act of a little boy who has every reason to be selfish catches at the throat, tears eyes, evokes emotions unknown.
For what Landon did, he received a 2008 Jefferson Award. When the five recipients were announced recently at a community breakfast, Landon was not able to attend.
He was in St. Louis undergoing chemotherapy. It disappointed him, not being at the breakfast. But, he took disappointment in stride, which is not an uncommon trait of people struggling with dangerous diseases.
There was a real — chemotherapy punched — possibility he wouldn’t be able to attend Thursday night’s Jefferson Awards for Public Service dinner at the Charleston Country Club.
Detective Travis Easton, representing the Mattoon Police Department, accompanied Landon to the dinner. Landon didn’t stand up for an acceptance speech. Easton spoke for him.
“I have never encountered a child who with a single act of kindness made such an impact on others,” Easton said, fighting to suppress his emotions.
He wasn’t the only police officers to do so. At different times, in different places, I imagine they all did.
Another benefit is scheduled for Landon today in Mattoon. Bands will play, food and beverages will be served; everybody will have a great time.
We’re good at benefits. We help each other. Many people make donations. Others contribute items to auction. We bake, fry and fuss over food. Organizing for benefits has become an art.
There are many Landons living in this area, struggling to overcome afflictions, to be well again. They don’t all win the fight. Life comes at a hard price.
There’s plenty of bad news out there. Often, the truth is rougher than even the news media admits. Police see it every day. They just keep moving. Doing their thing.
Benefits are good news. Chunks of heart mixed with music, food and laughter, they remind us of what is best about us.
They keep rolling, with the needs of our friends, neighbors, fellow citizens, strangers.
They perform wonders science can’t match. Landon will tell you that; his mother will tell you that.
But, you already know.
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jenda1210 wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:43 AM: