Only When It's Dark Can We See the Stars: A Father's Journal as His Son Battles Cancer

Only When It’s Dark

Four Long Years: That’s the time from 12-year-old Julian’s diagnosis of leukemia until the Popta family reaches the other side. All the while, dad kept a log chronicling in detail the mind-boggling ordeal. Is there hope in the Valley of Baca? With his journal, you can travel with these pilgrims on their difficult journey.

On the one hand, since John is sharing his entries with extended family, friends and church members, you hear him reporting and reflecting as a minister. Indeed, his life had become a sermon. On the other hand, you sense how a father’s heart aches as his son suffers. He had encountered similar situations before, but such experience counts for little compared to facing cancer of a loved one first hand.

“When I held my son in my arms tonight, I wept.”