Keeler

Keeler is my oldest, and if there is one thing I hope he never loses, it's how unapologetically himself he is.

This summer, he spent four weeks at sleepaway camp—four hours away from home. No electronics. No air conditioning. Just cabins, campfires, and days filled with riflery, power boating, sailing, swimming, archery, rock climbing, and every outdoor adventure you can imagine.

In fact, he was still at camp when I was diagnosed with leukemia. As hard as it was not having him home during those first few weeks, I wouldn't have changed it. He was exactly where he needed to be.

To tell you how proud I am of him would be an understatement. At just ten years old, he had the confidence to spend an entire month away from his family, completely immersed in new experiences. That's who Keeler is.

He's adventurous. Independent. Curious. He loves rock climbing, reading, video games, riding his Onewheel, swimming, and spending time with his friends. If something captures his interest, he dives in completely.

But more than anything, I love that he has never seemed interested in being like everyone else. He is unapologetically himself.

As a parent, that's one of the greatest gifts you can hope for your child. My hope is that life never changes that. Because the world needs more people who are confident enough to be exactly who they are.