Thursday, July 11, 2013

I watch in hope for the Lord

A friend of mine from high school is facing a fight that we all see and think, "Oh, that wouldn't happen to us".  Her husband is literally fighting for his life battling Stage 4 Melanoma.  I went to middle school and high school with Rachel and her twin sister, Sarah.  Like many friends from high school, Facebook has connected us again.  When I saw the news that Rachel's husband was fighting melanoma, I immediately hit my knees.

8 years ago next month, our family lost a very dear friend to the same.  She was young, 32, and had an almost 2 year old son.  Melissa was diagnosed with melanoma in April before Rob and I were married in June of 2004.  They thought they'd gotten in, but, in June of 2005, it came back and was everywhere.  Melissa is one of my very best friend's sister, and our families are very close.  She was like a sister to Mandie and me.  I think about Melissa everyday, and am still in awe of the grace she displayed in her fight.  I remember when we found out that it was back, I couldn't even say anything to her for the tears.  She liked raspberry ginger-ale, so, I took some to her Mom's house where she was staying.  I literally, couldn't speak.  Her battle was fierce and quick.  And devastating.  Mandie was pregnant with Emma and would go and stay with Melissa during the day sometimes.  We've talked about those visits and the irony of one life entering the world and one slipping away.  Emma was born July 28th and Melissa was buried in early August.  Melissa was courageous and graceful and beautiful.

Rachel and Kevin's story strikes a cord with me, particularly, because of Melissa.  I pray so much for them and their small children.  I pray that he is the miracle we were unable to experience 8 years ago.  I pray that the trial he's undergoing with these TIL cells is a cure for him and others to come.  I pray for strength for his incredible wife.

I pray for my dear friend who lost her sister.

If you would like to pray for the Hill family, please follow their story at http://www.aquietlife.net/.

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."  Micah 7:7

Monday, July 8, 2013

10 minute Tuesday

What a fun Holiday weekend!  It's fair to say, that we are all still recovering this Monday!

Wednesday, I took the kids to our old neighborhood to visit with our favorite people there.  Clo-Clo and Molly picked up right where they left off, and it's so sweet.  They are like 2 peas in a pod.  The babies really aren't shy with her, either, which is fun.  It really is like our kids have 3 grandmothers.  Of course, I forgot my camera.  I have a few pictures from my phone and Flo took a few, too, so, I'll have to upload and post.  Blood isn't the only bind that creates a family, and our French family in Canton is proof of that!

We celebrated a RAINY fourth of July at home and then with friends for dinner.  On Friday my sister and nieces came for the weekend.  It's always so crazy and loud and chaotic when you have five kiddos under one roof, but, it's so fun.  And, that's what memories are made of :).  Molly and Brooke are so funny together - one minute having fun and the next screaming - ha - it's like we have 2 sets of twins!  They all really got along well, though, for the most part and Molly and Brooke did well sleeping together in Molly's room.  I think they were just so exhausted that they didn't have time to fight their sleep!  Sunday, Rob took the twins to the lake for a while and Molly and I had some time on our own.  I took her for her first mani/pedi.  She was such a good girl and so well behaved.

My last post landed me a pretty nasty email from someone who thought I was talking about her in my bullet about parenting advice.  It was super hurtful to me, and I'm trying to see that she had her feelings hurt too, but, it makes it difficult when you are attacked at such scale.  Writing for me is therapy, and it's been a long six months of having my feelings hurt and feeling as if I'm being criticized for every move I make - from several avenues in life.  The long and short of it, maybe I shouldn't have posted my bullets in the last post.  However, it's my blog, my feelings and my thoughts...it's my therapy.  If you think I need additional therapy, well, you are welcome to create your own blog and talk about me on it :).

This week, I'm letting it go.  I can't change you...nor do I want to.  If we were all exactly the same, felt the same, loved the same, hurt the same, well, it'd make for a pretty boring world.  I have this on a post it in my office (right below one that Emma drew that says "I love Tata" - man, I love that girl):

"It takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate the silence, absence to value to the presence..."