Sunshine

Have I ever shared with y'all my theory on Sunshine?  

I believe that Sunshine can have a major positive impact on one's life. When Dad came home from the rehab facility, I would often go visit him and insist that he allow me to wheel him outside to sit in the sun. "Sunshine therapy," I would call it. 

When I'm feeling blue, I try to seek out the sunlight. If the weather isn't cooperating, I will focus on good, happy, Sunshiny thoughts.  Sort of fake it till I make it. 

This is what I came home to find sitting on my kitchen table tonight:

"A basket of Sunshine for you!" 

It is a gift basket from a very dear friend and  her husband. It is JUST what the doctor ordered!!  

p.s.  Thank you so much, Dear Friend!  Xoxo

Feeling the love

Check out all of the cards Gordon and I have received in the last few weeks. We're running out of room on the mantle!

This visual doesn't really do justice in showing how much love and support we've had. It's humbling, really, the number of people who have taken the time to let us know that they care and are praying for us. 

Blunt

As time has worn on, and we've gotten more settled with Gordon's diagnosis and treatment, I've noticed that I am editing our story slightly.  I'm not changing the major details, I've just stopped giving the long-storied answer anytime someone asks how Gordon is doing or what has happened.  I'm getting to the point without coloring the story with unnecessary details.

Just this morning, a concerned acquaintance asked what has been going on.  Rather than launching into the 10 minute colorful story of what has happened and how we got to where we are now, I was straight and to the point.  I was blunt.

I simply said, "Gordon has brain cancer."

Sleeping in? What's that?

Every Tuesday (-ish), I begin to long for the weekend.  I dream of lounging in my bed on a Saturday morning.  I imagine a Saturday morning as a relaxed start to a sunny day of leisure.  These thoughts and plans are what help get me through the rest of my week.

Reality always slams me out of my dreams.

Take today, for example.  Grace needed to be dropped off at a nearby high school for 7:30am.  She's taking the SATs through Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth program.  Dianna has a karate lesson in a little while.  

Every week, there is something.  

A new realization has begun to dawn on me.  I'm beginning to see that my own Mom probably hasn't always been an 'early bird'.  She probably became conditioned to rise early after years and years of Saturday morning activities with her kids.

I'm sorry, Mom!

Recovering

Gordon is doing GREAT!!  He is just about completely recovered from his surgeries. Here, you can see for yourself how awesome he's looking!

Half Birthday

Today, Eleanor turns exactly five and a HALF years old. With her birthday being in the middle of summer, she would miss out on celebrating with her school friends in class. Instead, Eleanor will bring these chocolate sprinkle covered chocolate chip banana muffins in to share at snack time. 

To me, these muffins don't look the most appetizing. To Eleanor, they are filled with "chocolatey goodness!"

Bumps in the Road

Since I last blogged, Gordon underwent a second brain surgery.  He is back at home, recovering amazingly well.  I'm so very proud of his positive attitude and complete faith.

Perhaps one day I'll share the full, long story with y'all.  For now, you'll get the short version.

Gordon was diagnosed with glioblastoma.  It's a type of brain cancer.  A very aggressive, malignant brain cancer.  He had two tumors, which were both successfully (almost totally) removed.  Only about 5% could not be excised.  We're looking forward to starting the next step of treatment -- a radiation/chemo combination.

The title I gave this blog post refers to the ups and downs of our journey thus far.  Early on, while we were still in the hospital, Mom warned me that there would be "bumps in the road" ahead of us.  She was right.  (Mom is ALWAYS right)  I feel like I have been on a rather large emotional roller coaster.  We've had a few downs, but plenty of highs.  Plenty of reasons to remain hopeful and positive.  When I start like I'm falling down again, I focus on the things going right.  On the things I can control.  When we're at a high again, I still remember those things.  I also remind myself that there very well may be another bump in the road.  Possibly even right around the corner.