This is an on-line story from the Mason City (Iowa) Globe-Gazette, which was forwarded to me by Kim Lee. When I got it from Kim, the picture didn't forward. I had an X. I wanted it to be included in today's Karen's Korner but it wouldn't work! If you would have gotten the inset, you would have seen a smility eight-year-old with a Harley-Davison cap! Pray for this family........and hug your own! Life in this world is short; and the one to come....very, very long:

Cancer claims the life of a brave 8-year-old

By Peggy Senzarino

The third member of a Britt family stricken with cancer has died. Eight-year-old Charlie Hiscocks, son of Don and Allison Hiscocks, died Tuesday at his home in Britt.

Cancer claimed the life of Charlie's sister Emma, 10, in December 2004. Their mother, Molly, died of cancer in 2001.

"He had the funniest sense of humor," said Allison Hicocks, Charlies' stepmother. Charlie underwen two bone marrrow tranplants this year. "He was just so brave all the way up to the end. He was so brave in his struggle," she said.

She said the family is consoled by the knowledge that Charlie is with his mother and sister in heaven.

Britt Elementary Principal Richard Keith said the news of Charlie's death would be shared with students at the end of the day. "The staff talked dearly of him," Keith said. Counselors, including members of the ministerial association, are ready to help students deal with the loss of their classmate, Keith said.

"At this age, their classroom teacher is almost the best one they can talk to," Keith said. Charlied started the school year, but because of his illness he had attended class on a limited basis recently.

The family's battle with cancer began when Molly Hiscocks underwent a Cesarean section to deliver the couple's third child, Andrew, and doctors discovered a mass in her abdominal cavity. A lump was found in her breast while she was receiving chemotherapy.

By March 2000, she had completed her course of chemotherapy. The family and doctors believed they had beaten the disease. But in August, the cancer returned.

The children were diagnosed with cancer within days of one another in mid-July 2000.

Andrew Hiscocks, 6, is cancer free, according to the family.

Funeral services for Charlie Hiscocks will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday (today) at West Hancock School in Britt.