The rare ask: Please pray for Luke Jensen, my 9 year old cousin who doesn't have much time left. (Update 11) and a picture of Steve and Luke. (Apr 28)

Late last night, I was looking at pictures of Luke over at his Mom's facebook site when I stumbled upon this picture of Steve holding his son.

The complete agony in Steve's eyes as he holds his precious son. The unspeakable pain and sorrow. Most pictures are worth a thousand words.

This one is worth millions.

Things are not going well. Luke's time with us is fleeting. From his Mom, Vikki:

Watchi​ng Luke's body deteriorate breaks my heart on so many levels. Seeing him not able to eat, not able to stand, is unbearable. I am really not able to let my mind even think about it or I would collapse, and Luke will not allow it (If he even hears a quiver in my voice he says "Mom, you OK? You're not crying, right? I don't want you to cry, if you cry I'll cry and I don't want to cry.") So none of that is allowed. (Except in the garage, shower, outside, or where-ever I choose to hide!!)

How they can bear this is, quite simply, beyond my comprehension.

I have never seen such strength, courage, and love before in the entirety of my frequently violent and comparatively insignificant life.

I rarely have been at a loss for words, but this all causes my vocabulary to shrink to nothingness.

You learn a lesson in watching all of this. A life lesson so full of things to remind you what's important. And I will remember Luke.