The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX
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<strong>The</strong>re in the hospital driveway below, high on a truck <strong>and</strong> with mainsail<br />
flying, was Take It To <strong>The</strong> Max. Max’s eyes widened in pleasure, his delight<br />
was evident in every gesture <strong>of</strong> his excitement. He glowed, knowing the<br />
care <strong>and</strong> love that brought his boat to him at this place at this time.<br />
Nurses <strong>and</strong> doctors all came to exclaim about Max’s treasure <strong>and</strong> enjoy<br />
his infectious happiness.<br />
That night, Max stayed up until close to midnight working on a project with<br />
his dad. When he was ready to put out the light, Max <strong>and</strong> his mom <strong>and</strong> dad<br />
prayed together <strong>and</strong> thanked God for all the help He had given <strong>and</strong> all the<br />
people who had been so kind to him. <strong>The</strong>n Max went to sleep.<br />
Max died in his mother’s arms, holding his father’s h<strong>and</strong>, at 6:55 a.m.<br />
on March 5, 1991.<br />
In the days that followed there was a terrible silence. <strong>The</strong> silence swelled<br />
<strong>and</strong> roared, because silences can do that if what you want to hear isn’t there<br />
<strong>and</strong> what you don’t want to hear is everywhere. <strong>The</strong>n stories started to fill<br />
the empty spaces, stories about Max.<br />
Many stories ended with a shake <strong>of</strong> the head, a glance away, <strong>and</strong> the simple<br />
statement, “Max amazed me then. He was so brave. <strong>Children</strong> amaze me.<br />
I am amazed by the courage <strong>of</strong> children.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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