Father and Son

The holidays wound up well. My stepson came down and stayed with us for a few days.  When Steve first found out he was coming, he got totally stressed out.  Since I was working, Steve didn't know what he was going to do with Zach during the day- especially since Steve wasn't feeling 100%.  He knew he wasn't going to be able to run around with Zach, and Steve was afraid that Zach was going to be bored.  But he got all stress out  over nothing, Zach just wanted to hang out and spend some time with his dad. 

It was great seeing him.  He has really turned out to be a good person with a good heart.  He's 20 years old now.  Steve was diagnosed when he was 12.  I really don't know how,or if, Steve's being ill affected Zach.  He keeps things close to his chest and doesn't really talk about his emotions.  However, I do know that Steve harbors a tremendous amount of guilt.  He feels bad about all the things he never did with Zach.  All the time that they spent together when Steve just didn't have any energy.  All of the times that Steve missed (including Zach's high school graduation).

Spending time alone together gave Steve the opportunity to tell Zach about Hep C, the treatments, and how they make him feel.  He told Zach how he feels about him and how he wishes he could have been there for him.  And although Zach doesn't say much, I know that if he ever had any doubts about how Steve feels about him, he doesn't any longer.