So much to be thankful for…

As I sit down to write this on the eve of Thanksgiving, my heart is overwhelmed with emotion. First and foremost, joy…overwhelming joy. We are home, together, after a journey in which we were separated. A separation in which we had never faced before…wanting to never face again. So, we have HOPE, and FAITH, and we BELIEVE. We continue to see Ethan grow stronger and stronger. “Was he really ever sick”, we ask ourselves often. He fools us now.

More joy tonight overflows, as I see Ethan running around in the darkness with his best friend Austin. They stopped by to wish a Happy Thanksgiving. Ethan is thrilled…we are thrilled. To see Ethan and Austin together, as if things were as they always were. Pure happiness…

I just tucked Ethan into bed…a nightly ritual, that while at times can be frustrating as there might be 10 tuck-ins a night, is a very special one. I thank God as I tuck him in that he’s here, at home, on Earth, to tuck in. We say a special prayer, praying for the children that are still in the hospital. We recently learned of another Rowley boy, Jonathan, 14 years old, who was diagnosed with a cancer on August 23. He hasn’t been home yet, remains in Boston still. His sister is in Emma’s grade at Pine Grove School. I talked with his mom this morning, and think how unfair it is that another child is afflicted with this terrible disease. While at the same time, I remember how comforting it is to talk to someone going through the same situation. While I wish we met these families under different circumstances, we are fortunate to have met wonderful, caring families along this way to share our similar experiences with, and support each other. Please say prayers for Jonathan and his family, as they travel this unchosen journey.

Sorrow…sorrow fills my heart as I think of the families that have lost children, their angels. How it’s not fair…not fair for a child to be taken from their parents. While in my heart, I believe that everything happens for a reason. This was instilled by my parents to me at an early age, after they lost two children. But what reason is good enough? When does one learn of this reason?

Gratitude… With this Thanksgiving we feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thanks to the amazing power of prayer, your prayers, we have faith that Ethan’s health will continue to improve. We have such confidence in the doctors that treat Ethan, and the medical care he receives. How lucky are we to live where we live? We have been supported throughout this journey by wonderful friends and family, and a community so giving that I’m still trying to figure out how to express our appreciation. We are so thankful to you…Thank you, thank you…

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.