When I grow up

Meg has been pretty consistent in her choices of occupations for when she grows up. For over a year now she's decided that when she grows up she's going to be a mommy and a helicopter pilot. Ballerina, baker, or landscaper were never even an option. Today, while we were in the car running errands, she surprised me with a new twist on her carefully planned out future.
  "Mom," she said, "When I grow up I am going to be a mommy first, then a doctor and then a helicopter pilot. I am going to be a doctor over where Grandpa lives so that I can help him get better."
   Grandpa is fighting a hard battle with lung cancer. It's newly diagnosed and it's been difficult for all of us to wrap our heads around. She's been mailing him pictures and talking to him via video chat too. She's concerned about him getting better and has been remembering him in her prayers, mostly at dinner time.
  Maybe it's the pregnancy, maybe it's a mom thing, but I teared up a little. I hope health for him too. And I hope her future is as amazing as her 4 year old heart can dream it to be.

To Becky, the Chemo Warrior Princess

{source} Sarah Kang 

My sweet cousin Becky lost her valiant fight with breast cancer today at the University of Washington Hospital. She fought very hard against a very aggressive and difficult cancer. She kept her sense of humor and good spirits to the very end and everyone who was around her felt of her love and the joy. Her husband and young children will be very, very sad for long while, but having their mom's smiling face and laughter in their memories will help to carry them through. I know Becky is in the loving arms of her older brother Jonathan, who died 17 year ago, also from cancer. They all have a deep faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and have been stalwart examples of showing love in difficult times. She was a Warrior, a Fighter, and one of the greatest examples of humor, facing adversity, and faith I have known. I am thrilled she was part of the rich tapestry of my family. All my love Becky. Until we meet again.

Cancer Touches Everyone

This week our family had a devastating blow. Both my grandfather and his wife have cancer. Both are pretty advanced and prognosis is not good for either of them. In the same week they both received this news. Cancer touches every single one of us in ways we can't imagine. Even though you don't know them, they have probably affected your life. They are farmers, they own and operate cherry orchards. They used to have pears as well. Next time you get a drink of fruit juice, you can wonder if some it of came from their farm. They have been active in their community and with the local farmers association. They have made positive contributions to changes around them. Who knows what kind of ripple effect that has had.



I love my grandparents for who they are and for touching our lives. I don't know what can be done for them now, but I pray that more and more research can be done and treatment and cures found for all types of cancer. If you have the ability to support some kind of cancer research, please do it. Together, differences can be made and maybe lives can be saved. In the meantime, prayers are appreciated.