“The most precious thing you can give someone is your time, Chika, because you can never get it back. When you don’t think about getting it back, you’ve given it in love.”
A child rarely comes into someone’s life without making a mark – especially a loved child. In the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake in 2010, Mitch Albom found himself not just reporting on how to help, but offering to help an orphanage that was destroyed. He was one of the few who managed to get a plane and team together and land on the island within days of the quake. Years of helping the orphans followed, yet he and his wife also had their life back in the U.S. Then, one little girl in the orphanage was diagnosed with a brain tumor and no one in Haiti could help her.
I’ve read almost all of Albom’s books and have enjoyed each one. They all have a measure of profoundness to them and make you think about how you are living your life. I chose Finding Chika for our next book club book. Tuesdays with Morrie is his most famous and the first of his books that I read. The lesson there is that each moment is precious. I’ve also read The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto.
Chika is only three when Albom decides to take her to the U.S. to see what could be done to help her. She is diagnosed with DiPG, a fatal brain tumor. Yet, she is feisty and the Alboms decided to take care of her and fight alongside her so she can live. They never had children of their own, even though they wanted to. Chika becomes theirs while still being a part of Haiti.
Finding Chika is a story full of love. There is heartache, but it would never exist if there hadn’t been love first. The love of his child changes both Albom and his wife in ways they never thought possible. While writing the book, Albom is visited by Chika at times, who encourages him to examine what she taught him in her short time on Earth.
We all should be doing everything we can to try and rid the world of all childhood cancer. This book is a reminder of that fight. Every child is precious and matters!
Have you been affected by childhood cancer? Share your story on the blog!