Your Presence is Empowering

The Power of Presence: What We Notice in the Silence

It’s been 14 years since our son Jimmy, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Fourteen years of navigating a journey that is hard to truly understand unless they’ve been through it. Over that time, we’ve learned more than we ever thought possible about medical treatments, resilience, and endurance. But we’ve also learned about something else—the things we notice in the silence, when others think no one is paying attention.

When you're facing a diagnosis as heavy as a brain tumor, there’s an unspoken truth: people don’t know what to say. They worry about saying the wrong thing, so instead, they say nothing at all. They tell themselves they're giving you space, but really, they’re just taking it. They pull back, unsure of how to engage, thinking their absence might be easier than their presence.

And we understand that. There are no expectations, no judgment. It’s hard to stand in the fire, and we know that better than anyone. After all, we’ve been standing in it for 14 years, facing it head-on, most of the time by ourselves. When you’re living through something this intense, it’s natural to want to protect others from the weight of it. You almost feel a need to tell everyone, "We’re okay"—even when you're not. We do this not just for ourselves, but in hopes that people will come back, that they won’t be scared away by our reality.

But here’s the thing: we notice the ones who show up. The ones who check in, even when they don’t have the right words. The ones who stay present, who listen, who stand beside us in the fire without trying to fix it. We notice them, and we are forever grateful for them. Because their presence—simple, steady, unwavering—does something profound: it empowers us.

When someone shows up, they remind us that we’re not alone. That even when the road feels impossibly hard, there’s someone there who believes in us. And that belief is transformative. It helps us keep believing in ourselves. It reminds us that we’re worth it, that our fight has meaning, and that our journey, as hard as it is, can inspire others. That gives our journey a purpose.

When someone stands beside you in your darkest moments, they help carry a weight that feels unbearable on your own. They remind you of the strength you already have, even when you’re doubting it. And that’s why the simplest things—a phone call, a text, a visit—mean so much. It’s not about fixing the situation; it’s about reminding someone that they don’t have to walk through it alone.

The connection that forms when someone stays with you through a hard time is unbreakable. It’s a bond that goes beyond words, a silent agreement that says, "I see you. I’m here for you. And together, we’ll keep going."

So, how do you support someone facing a difficult diagnosis? Be there. Truly be there. Offer a listening ear, your steady presence, and remind them that they have the strength to keep going, even when they feel like they don’t. You may not have the perfect words, but your presence speaks louder than any words ever could. And in those moments, when someone feels like they might fall, knowing you’re there can lift them up in ways they never thought possible.

It takes incredible strength to stand beside someone facing something like this. But the power of that shared experience—of walking through the fire together—cannot be underestimated. It’s not just support; it’s a lifeline. It’s how we find the strength to keep going. And it’s how we remind each other that even in the hardest times, we’re never truly alone.

For those who check in, stay present, and share this journey with us, thank you. Your presence matters more than you know. You empower us to keep believing, to keep fighting, and to keep finding purpose in the midst of the fire. And that kind of support? It’s priceless.