Family Ties

Hello All,

Tuesday feels like Friday as I think back to the whirling blur of the last 7 days. We had such a great time at the reunion and it was such a nice thing to reconnect with everyone! Of course we missed Russ (who just had a birthday!!) and Delia, Nate, Sean and MD, Alex, Megan and Mario and Max, Wes and Rebecca, Graham, Marty and Dianne, Abi, Austin and Mallory, and Hayden. Hopefully the memories we made will last us another few years! Alan took some video while we were all having fun and I'll post them here as soon as I can upload them. Here is one of the Tug-O-War https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201750138778872&set=vb.1343108754&type=2&theater that Lani posted to FB...very fun memory! And here is one that Alan posted to YouTube. It's one of the MANY group photos we had taken. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwZRBh0BEEg&feature=youtu.be More to come.....!

On Sunday morning we received a call from the assisted living center where Alan's sister Cheri is living. She was non-responsive and they called 911. By the time we got there, the paramedics were there and they transported her to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.Throughout the day and evening there weren't any changes and they ran tests and labs which produced nothing but negative results. She has had things like this happen frequently with the same outcome. Today is Tuesday, and though she is somewhat better, she continues to decline with each episode leaving us still wondering where the next few days will take us.

Cheri is 61 years old. She is retired from the Navy, never married and never had children. She was a brilliant woman who spoke Chinese and traveled the world, but lived a solitary, rich, inner life. She is a 16 year brain cancer survivor; a miracle in her class as most of these patients don't live longer than 2 years following treatment. Cheri is 1 of 2 children (Alan is her only sibling). They lost their mother when they were children. Their father died some 15 years ago. These are just facts basically, but they give you a snapshot of her life. And ours.

My heart is full as I think back to just a few days ago where we were surrounded by love and laughing, kids squealing and playing, and the wonderful ties that bind...and my heart aches for those who don't have a net of family who hold onto each other and catch each other when we fall stumble. I can't imagine the weight that Alan must feel as he not only parents his own 2 children, but manages his sister's every need, knowing that he is all she has. I am so grateful for all of you. For your unique gifts and situations -- how they enrich my life! I'm so thankful for your generous outpouring to us personally and willingness to accept the changes that come into all our lives. Family always has your back. Family is the common denominator for all of us, no matter where we live or what our challenges are. Know it. And never take it for granted.

Much love, C.