someone noticed.....

Thanks to Janell for being excited about the return of our family blog;). It is currently 3:04 a.m. and CAW is up. He missed school today due to a fever. Right now he is fever free but complaining about ear pain. I'm always amazed when children are only sick for one day. That never seems to be our experience.

When I try to think about our family and what I want to remember about our lives right now I think about how spring is coming and I can feel the change in all of us. Although it snowed yesterday, we are feeling excited as we see the signs of longer days and life!

We also have so many people we love with major battles in their lives:
1) My friend Jody who has been waiting for a year for a new heart for her 10-year old son. I try to imagine their day-to-day life as Ethan becomes weaker. I imagine how we will all feel when the call that his new heart has arrived.....it can't come soon enough!
2) My Uncle John who is battling throat cancer. He had three months of remission but sadly it returned. He is in the fight of his life.
3) My cousin's husband, Van, is also battling cancer (a very rare form). He is currently at the U of M doing chemo for one week every month.
4) My friend Angie's husband is very ill. He is also taking chemo but they are unsure of what they are fighting, they just know he is very ill. They are very thankful for the staff at Mayo.
5) My friend Paula lost her husband last week. I attended the funeral on Saturday. It was great to learn more about her husband, but still very sad.
6) My friend Lisa's father-in-law is battling lung cancer.
7) My college roommate's (Sarah) father is battling cancer.
8) Janell's mom is battling cancer.

Tonight I received word that a colleague from work (only 41) lost her battle with pancreatic cancer this morning. She had such a wonderful spirit and outlook on life. She lived with such grace through this entire experience.

I'm really trying to figure out what lessons there are in all of this. Teresa and I were talking about this darkness. Is this how life is when you turn 39? Has your friendship base grown so wide that you know and care about so many people, and therefore know a lot of people who are struggling.

I know the biggest lesson is to try to live in the here-and-now. I'm working on that;). I also know that you should be living in a constant state of gratitude for each healthy day we have. This one comes pretty easy for me. I really try to focus on what matters, let people know how I feel, and not let the little things weigh me down.....

I think I'm sleep-deprived. Thanks for letting me vent;)

We have some fun weekend plans ahead. Let's hope CAW turns the corner and we can make them happen.