Happy Belated Birthday, Mom!!!

Happy belated birthday, Mom!!! We talked and texted but this is your official blog shout out!! We are adding your name to the giant sheet cake of celebration! You, my sweet mother-in-law, are so good at celebrating others- I've witnessed firsthand the cards and kind deeds you have done for others- even during these past 5 months!- during the most trying and exhausting time in your life. We can't wait to celebrate YOU!! You are a very empathetic and wise person. Thank you for continuing to share yourself and letting us shoulder even a small part of your burden. We draw strength from your faith and the way you turn to God for each day's portion. You are oh-so-dearly loved!! (And all the blog followers shouted a hearty "Amen!")

Tim and I and the kids are on vacation this week and have been in and out of cellphone range. We got to catch up with Mom on the drive today. She was telling us the dramas of the week- Tuesday started rough with lots of emotions and negotiations of needs and learning to find health in the current season of chaotic living. This is an ongoing process and Dad is being more of a participant in the terms of negotiation. Prednisone is probably not making those conversations any easier.

Mom also filled us in on all of the highs- and there were many! Dad got to go outside on Thursday!!! (pictures and story to follow from Mom); she loved the birthday card and present that Dad picked out to surprise her with (more on this story later); Becky was down for a short but sweet visit; Dad's labwork came back normal; decision on a port vs new PICC can be deferred for another week; and Dad has been speaking more using a special speech cannula. My sister, Kristy, was able to converse easily with him and problem-solved quite a few resources and plans for easing some of his issues. (Thank you, Kristy!!) Also, Dr Krause has joined the blog! Welcome! Thank you for all you are doing on Dad's behalf. Please forgive any errors in medical reporting...we often find ourselves playing quite a bit of the game "telephone" to write these blogs.

Last night, Tim and I were camping in the Alleghenies and found ourselves walking back to the camper directly in the crosswalk of a momma bear trying to get to her baby cubs that were behind our campground!! I scattered and ran into the closest campsite but Tim bravely walked directly in front of the snarling leaf-rustling momma bear to get to our camper that was holding OUR 4 baby bears!! He then came back in the vehicle for me. We all 6 hunkered in the camper and listened to the baby bears cry for their momma and we watched her waddle through our camp and pick them up. Later in the night the bears returned and got into our stuff (plastic bin, chairs, etc). Thrillingly scary to be sure!!! Tonight we found ourselves going to a classy art in the park presentation of Mary Poppins in Upstate New York, surrounded by beauty and fancily dressed people (and us in our fanciest camping clothes). In this way we were struck by the GBS analogy...sometimes you fear you might get eaten by bears in the night that keep lurking and circling around the camper... But then circumstances change a bit and you find yourself surrounded by singing and joy and laughter.

Our prayer is that the bears stay at bay and the joy and singing continues to expound! Mom and Dad, you are so dearly loved. Watching you two together the other night, we all heard Lisa the RT, say, "You guys remind me of my parents. They have been married a long time but they still look at each other like every day is their first date!" So sweet and so true. We love you both!