Some roads in life are chosen with hope and excitement, mapped out with dreams and plans for the future. Others appear without warning—dark, unfamiliar, and unbearably heavy. Our journey to Houston was one of those roads. Each mile felt longer than the last, every moment stretched thin under the weight of news no parent is ever prepared to hear. The world outside the car continued on as if nothing had changed, but inside our hearts, everything had shattered. Our sweet Emmett—our bright-eyed, gentle, beautiful boy—was facing the final chapter of a battle no child should ever have to fight.
There are moments when language simply breaks down. Words, usually so dependable, suddenly feel small and powerless. This is one of those moments. As parents, we are wired to protect, to fix, to make things better. We kiss scraped knees, soothe nightmares, promise that everything will be okay. But nothing prepares you for the helplessness of watching your child suffer when there is no cure, no solution, no miracle you can will into existence through sheer love alone. The pain is physical, emotional, and spiritual all at once—an ache so deep it steals your breath.
And yet, even in this unbearable reality, love remains. It is the one thing cancer cannot take from us. We wake up each day with hearts that feel impossibly heavy, but we keep going because Emmett needs us. We hold his hand. We brush his hair. We whisper how deeply he is loved, how proud we are of him, how grateful we are for every second we have been given. If we cannot take away his pain, then we will surround him with comfort. If we cannot change the outcome, then we will make sure his days are filled with tenderness, warmth, and peace.
This journey is not only measured in miles, but in heartbeats and memories. It is a journey no parent ever imagines taking—a road paved with tears, prayers, and moments of quiet reflection. Time seems to move strangely here. Some days crawl by with agonizing slowness, while others slip through our fingers far too quickly. Still, somewhere deep inside, hope flickers. Not the kind of hope that denies reality, but the kind that clings to faith, to love, and to the belief that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone.
As we walk through these days, we humbly ask for your prayers. Not because words can fix what is broken, but because love shared has a way of carrying us when our own strength runs out. We ask you to stand with us in spirit, to lift Emmett up in your thoughts, and to wrap our family in compassion. Let us feel the quiet power of community—the invisible threads of kindness and empathy that remind us we are supported, even when the road feels unbearably lonely.
Please pray for Emmett’s comfort above all else. Pray that his body is free from pain, that his heart knows no fear, and that his spirit is wrapped in peace. Pray that he feels only love in these moments—our love, your love, and the boundless love that exists beyond this world. Pray that his days are gentle, his nights calm, and his final moments filled with serenity rather than suffering.
We also ask for prayers for strength—strength we didn’t know we would ever need. Strength to smile for him when our hearts are breaking. Strength to be calm when fear threatens to overwhelm us. Strength to sit in silence, to accept what we cannot change, and to cherish what we still have. This burden is heavier than we ever imagined, and some days it feels impossible to carry. But we are learning, slowly and painfully, how to find solace in small things: a soft laugh, a shared glance, the warmth of his hand in ours.
Emmett has taught us more in his short life than many people learn in a lifetime. He has shown us what true courage looks like—not loud or dramatic, but quiet and steady. He has shown us the power of love in its purest form, the kind that asks for nothing in return. Even now, in his most vulnerable moments, he continues to inspire us with his resilience and his light.
This journey has also given us a painful but profound reminder of life’s fragility. Nothing is guaranteed. Time is not promised. The people we love are not meant to be taken for granted. If there is one thing we hope others carry with them from Emmett’s story, it is this: hold your loved ones a little closer. Say the words you’ve been putting off. Choose kindness. Treasure the ordinary moments, because one day, they will become the most precious memories you own.
We are not ready to say goodbye. We are not ready to imagine a world without our boy’s smile, his laughter, his presence filling our lives. The thought of letting him go feels unbearable. And yet, we know that love does not end with goodbye. The love we share with Emmett is woven into who we are. It will continue to live in our hearts, shaping us, guiding us, and reminding us of the incredible gift it was to be his parents.
Emmett’s journey on this earth may be nearing its end, but his story is far from over. His courage will live on in every life he has touched. His light will continue to shine in the memories we hold close and the love we pass forward in his name. One day, we believe, we will be reunited. Until then, we will carry him with us—every step, every breath, every heartbeat.
So once more, we ask for your prayers. Pray for peace. Pray for comfort. Pray for love to be felt in every moment that remains. And pray that when the time comes, Emmett knows just how deeply he is cherished—not only by us, but by all who have been moved by his brave and beautiful journey.