Wonder

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. 

Psalm 31:24

It was Emma's 11th birthday last week.  She had a week of celebrations and each time we sang "Happy Birthday to You", the words meant so much more to me than ever before.  It was a rallying in my spirit, a surge of hope and overcoming, a hint of nostalgia and a bite of fear all wrapped into one little song.  Cancer or any other life threatening disease has a way of spotlighting events like birthdays in a way, unnoticed before.  It was a celebration for us.  Happy Birthday my dear one.  I am so proud of you.  

Her Gramma and Grandpa (Jon's parents) gave her a card that was so perfect and poetic in what is said....I must share those words.  

Life is hard sometimes, crazy, mixed-up, messed up. 

And there you are, in the middle of it all, 

just doing your thing....

being strong and brave and beautiful 

like it's no big deal. 

But let me tell you, girl, 

it is!

Not everyone can do what you can do. 

Not everyone can handle things the way you can. 

While you wonder sometimes

if you're doing ok.....

the rest of us are just watching in....

Wonder.

We are watching in wonder...every day, every hour at the strength she has and how her life is touching others.  Emma has chemo round #7 this afternoon.  We are praying for strength and control of nausea.  She has been diligently working on her independent study school work in preparation for classes to start on September 6.  We march on toward that unknown date sometime this spring when we can say, chemo is behind us, our life is before us, we can rest, we can relax, we can celebrate!  While we wait, and face each round, she continues to fight and be an inspiration to us.  

-Rebecca