Memorial Day 2013

Memorial Day seemed the perfect time to update you all on Garrett’s progress.  The reason it’s perfect is due to the fact that on this day we honor and remember those men and women who have laid their very lives on the alter of freedom in order that you and I may live a more peaceful life.  It reminds me that we live in the greatest country in the world, and in a Nation STILL under God, no matter what some in Washington may say.  It reminds me that because of these freedoms and our way of life, we have opportunities and access to the best medical care anywhere.

So as many families remember the loss of their loved ones, I get to hold mine and love him even more.  Make no mistake about it.  We are still in a fight.  Something is inside Garrett trying to kill him, but we will prevail.  We accept nothing less than victory and we will carry the shield of warriors as we wrap ourselves in the Armor of God.  

Garrett’s had a really good week, all things considered.  He had four, almost back-to-back treatments last week but had very little nasty side effects.  Sunday was particularly rough, but I think it has more to do with him having too much fun the day before.  He spent a few hours at our cousin’s place and probably over did it.  That’s a good thing, really.  He was feeling so good that he forgot he’s still in a fight and his body is trying to heal at the same time.  It just wore him down.  Monday was much better.  Emotionally he has his ups and downs, just wanting to be a “normal” kid.

As he gets feeling better and life is slowing down now, we’ve had too much time to think about things.  Without feeling sorry for ourselves, we're beginning to accept that the “norm” we’ve been praying for will probably never come.  This rejection promises us that the life we’re living is most likely always going to be our “norm.”  I found it pretty tough to deal with last week, but am coming around as I write this.  

I’d been praying and hoping that some day we could only look to the future and know that the bad stuff was behind us.  That we could rebuild financially and buy another home, a nice home, and the kids could continue to grow up with the same opportunities as most of their peers.  For some reason, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards and so we are coming to grips with it and will do what we can to give our kids the very best life we’re able.

This week begins yet another round of treatments but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.  Only a few more weeks of this routine then Garrett gets a month off before biopsy surgery.  Then we will know how successful we’ve been.

Hug your kids tonight and say prayers with them for the troops around the world who place themselves in harm’s way for you and I.

God bless you all.

JD