Tom got his swing

Phew! It's a lot of work getting ready to go on vacation. Tomorrow we leave for Seaside, Oregon for a week. We are both looking forward to it. Tom is especially animated over it. It will be great having Hunter with us--he will keep us very entertained with all his antics! We'll also have some Sorry tournaments and maybe even teach him cribbage.

Sunday was very special. Our children gave Tom a porch swing and had it all set up at Kirstin's when we arrived. He loved sitting in it. He wrote to his friend on email that he was going to enjoy watching the neighborhood from it when we move in. I can't wait to sit and read to grandboys while we swing--if Tom will share. He also got his Viking hat--see pictures! I always enjoy hearing from him when we leave after being with our family and hearing how much he loves them and loves being with them.

Monday Tom was especially talkative with his white board. One thing he shared was that he had had a nightmare the night before about the surgical procedure that has been proposed to separate his wind pipe and esophagus. He said he did not want to have it done and he didn't even want to go to the doctor's appointment to hear more about it. His words were, "I want there to be some of me left." I really understood what he was saying and I was so happy to hear him taking charge. It's like he's come out of this fog--I think it's the fog of denial that set in with hearing the diagnosis. He's much clearer thinking. I can even see it in his eyes. Today he asked about the medications I am giving him. Up until now he has just sat back and let me make the decisions--and that's been hard because it's HIS life but he just hasn't wanted to talk about it. Today he made some decisions about the medications he is taking and I'm sure it must have felt good to do that.

Today he drove himself to the barber and then stopped by our bank. This is the bank where Tom would often stop by just to have a cup of coffee and chat with "his girls." When he walked in he said that he was surrounded by "his girls" who gave him hugs and told him how much they have missed seeing him. They had sent him a card that had been returned to them because of a wrong address so they gave him the card in person. Here are a few of the comments: "I miss seeing your smile and kind personality and our 'Christian talks'." "Sure miss our visits over coffee at the bank and your wonderful smile." "Tom, you are a person who has brightened our day with just stoping by." "Thank you for blessing our branch with your smile and spirit when you came in to have coffee."

What a boomerang joy! Tom has blessed them with his smile, his kind words and his presence. They have blessed him with their hugs and words of encouragement and love. Today is a memory Tom will long treasure the memory of today.

It's amazing the affect Tom's bright spirit and "take charge" attitude is having on me. I feel SO ALIVE and filled with joy. There are times when it feels heavy, like carrying a weight but not right now. I feel light and can't think of any other way to say it other than ALIVE. And, oh, so in love with Tom!