In memory of Max Buelow

It's a sad fact that in today's world almost everybody knows somebody whose life has been affected by cancer. But when a child dies, it's devastatingly tragic. There are no logical explanations. It's the cruelest outcome imaginable.

On this day, the community's heart pours out to the Buelow family of Calabasas. They recently lost their son Max to bone cancer. He was only 11.

Many of us have had a loving son or daughter who once was Max's age, but why did our children grow up to be strong and healthy and Max did not? The unfairness of life will never be understood.

In the real world, the hand we are dealt with is the only hand we have. What other choices are there? Perhaps nobody understood this more than David and Tracey Buelow, Max's parents. Max fought against Ewing's sarcoma for four years, and both he and his parents refused to give up. Bowing to defeat wasn't an option for the Buelow family. Life, indeed, is very short.

Have you ever had a bad day? The Buelows were given not one, but two children with cancer. Max's 12-year-old sister Emily has been a victim of leukemia and hers is a struggle that has gone on for eight years. Fortunately, she lives in remission.

It's easy to look at the world and criticize it. But it's also in times like these when humanity shows its good side, according to Max's father. Some would never see the silver lining in a story such as this, but the Buelows do.

"We couldn't have endured all the rides to Childrens Hospital and coped with all the transfusions, and all the drama with such an illness without the friends and all the people who stepped forth to help us," Max's mother said.

Please read Michael Picarella's story on page 1 about the courageous life of Max Buelow, and how you can help the family with your kind words and donations. We've all been so very lucky, and perhaps it's the Buelows' turn for a change.