I am the mother of Rebekah Whalen. Rebekah is one of the children being honored for this event and for that I am thankful. Rebekah was a feisty little 5 year old and definitely had a mind of her own. She loved to sing and dance with her older sister and put on numerous performances for anyone who would watch. Her battle with brain cancer did not dampen her spirits. She continued to sing all the way up to the day she died. We miss her dearly and pray for anyone who is going through this trial at this time. God's blessings on each of you.
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My younger sister, Rebekah, was my confidant, partner-in-crime, and best friend. We were uncharacteristically close for siblings only 2 years apart, which I'm so glad for considering how short our time together was. Rebekah was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor when she was 4 years old and endured radiation and chemotherapy treatments before succumbing to the disease on Nov. 7th 1986.
Rebekah was silly and full of mischeif! She was always sporting a sneaky grin and testing our parents to their limits with her stubborn streak. She once left the house in nothing but her tap shoes and did an entire tap routine in the driveway!She made up songs and spoke in her own little language. She was so creative! We performed full musical productions together at all our family gatherings - complete with costumes, makeup and dance routines. We understood each other and supported each other completely. We I got punished, Bekah cried and vice versa. Such sisters were we!
Although it's been over 20 years since Rebekah's death and the pain is so much less; the memories are just as vivid. I mourne now not for what used to be but for what might have been. What would she do for a living? Would she have kids? Would we still be as close? My hope is that we are able to find a cure for cancer soon so that more children are able to live out their futures. Rebekah, I still hear you dancing....
