Day 26

It was great to have Debbie back at home, even if it was very short and very, very busy. Yesterday Debbie needed some sleep in the afternoon and then we had a wonderful supper together with the girls. The evening was an important board meeting but I got to leave early (thanks Judy!) and spend some more time at home with Deb and the girls. Today we were swamped with errands that we had to get done before Debbie leaves again tommorow morning. Tonight we wrote thank you cards to the many, many people who have helped us in the recent weeks. What a great testimony it is that people have helped us with so many different gifts.

We've had cookies, baking, meals, gifts, cards, letters, visits, flowers, airplane tickets, hugs, prayers, tears and so much more from people who are helping us. We are blessed by our community. Tonight our wonderful friend and colleague Mrs. Kibble and Laura and Bruce and Josh came to visit and drop off a gift. It was great to see them and be encouraged by their visit. Lucy nearly licked them to death...

Tonight I cut the grass (I'll be gone in the Bowron Lakes with Kate's Outdoor Ed class and Mr. Costley for four days) and after I was done I had a moment of extreme sadness while I looked at our empty volleyball court in the backyard. Later I said to Debbie, "We should be playing volleyball, Sam and I against Kate and Karly, every night in June... and its empty." Having our family apart during this time has been very hard.

I'm sad to see Debbie go back to White Rock but I know how much Sam has missed her for these last two days. She is his nurse, his friend, his companion, his pill monitor, his helper, his humor, his prayer warrior and his mom... we're so fortunate to have a wife and mom like Debbie.

I said to her tonight, "I don't think I ever imagined we would have to do something so hard together as this," and she agreed.

Just a few more weeks and our family will all be together in Point Grey where some wonderful friends have offered to let us stay for July and part of August. This is so great because there is a yard for us to play in, a short walk to parks and beaches, and a very short drive to BCCH. It will give us a chance to be a family again for the summer and do things together - all five of us. We can't wait.

Good night.

Ger