Day 7 of CCAM - "One Thing I Wish People Knew..." from Sister Pat Parachini

Today’s post title is something I may ask a few more people in our orbit about: childhood cancer and beyond during September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026.

When I called Sister Pat Parachini this evening about a mutual friend of ours who passed away this week, I had the opportunity to ask her the question above (or answer it).

From Sister Pat, pastoral care at Georgetown University Hospital for six years, starting in 1997: “One thing I wish people knew was that your loving presence is enough.”

Simple.

Profound.

We talked further, and she explained that people who are very ill still need others’ love, care, and affection more than we think. Going deeper, they want to be valued, respected, worthy, and to share more love.

Sr. Pat revealed to me that she was always so impressed with the parents (and, of course, the patients) she met who cared so deeply for their children - a loving presence in action every single day.

I think another important piece is tucked inside her words. When someone we love is sick, especially a child, we often worry about what to say. We search for the right words, the right gesture, or something, anything, that might make an impossible situation a little better.

Maybe we don’t need to. Hear me out here.

How about if we:

Sit beside them. Listen. Hold a hand. Bring a meal. Send the text. Remember the sibling. Check on the parents. Show up again tomorrow, next week, or months from now when everyone else has returned to their regular lives.

You don’t need profound words or grand gestures. Sometimes your loving presence really is enough.

Thank you, Sister Pat, for reminding me of something so simple, so profound, and so very necessary.

It’s the little things…

Going Gold for Childhood Cancer 2026!

Terri

Photos: 1) Ryan, Sr. Pat, Greg Lubin, Dr. Aziza Shad, Bill at Tracy's Kids 25th Anniversary Party in 2023; 2) Terri and Bill with Sr. Pat in 2025 (we all love Ethiopian Food!)

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