Home Sweet Home

We made it to Vero without too much trouble. The move has been a bit overwhelming, but we seem to have made it. The kids have transitioned well to their new school and Dan and I are working hard (with the help of our parents) to make our beautiful house into our beloved home.

Dan has had the hardest time of it. We moved on a Thursday and Dan was right back to a new chemo regimen by Monday. This new round has hit him hard in the fatigue area. He has a hard time staying awake for extended periods of time. We also had a difficult time transferring our medications to the local pharmacy. As a result, we have had a few weeks of real challenges. Dan seems to be stable for the moment and we are actually able to enjoy the new home. Last night we ate dinner and spent a little while in the hot tub before bed.

Tomorrow we are going to meet with a local oncologist and get Dan's lab work done for the week. His blood counts are good for now and we are encouraged that he will be able to continue his chemo. We are specifically praying for clarity of thought, memory, wisdom and discernment.

I saw that some of Dan's SAE brothers have posted this week following the death of one of their brothers, Robert Dykes II. Robert has a son, Matthew, whom he used to bring to events when we were in college. Robert was a deputy in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He died of apparent suicide related to stress at work.

My heart just breaks over this loss. Due to Dan's inability to work during this time of treatment, I have begun to realize how much men depend on their work to define them. As a wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt and mother of a boy, I also realize how little a job actually defines the men that I love. If every man knew the joy that their mothers felt when they did little more than breathe their first breath, they would never feel less than perfectly created.

This week I pray that the men in our lives feel honored, loved and important. I also ask for prayers for Robert and the family and friends he left behind. Finally, I ask for prayers for our new church home, Trinity Episcopal. This is the church that I was reared in, married in and I love deeply. It is going through a great trial right now. I pray that God will direct, strengthen and empower the clergy and congregation to do the work that God intended for them to do for His glory.

Many blessing,
Leah