Have you ever experienced that feeling when you've been given a gift too great that words hardly do it justice? You try to think of ways to express your gratitude yet nothing seems to come close to how blessed you feel inside. Well, if you haven't had that feeling yet- I hope that one day you do- it's a good feeling to have. Tonight I was able to experience it for myself as my church family gathered together for a Silent Auction to benefit my mother. I walked around the room admiring all the items people had donated toward this cause. People from both the Kenosha and Racine church's came together and donated their gifts- everything from homemade blankets, gift baskets, pie, pictures, and even plant holders! I tried to stand back and watch as people laughed and mingled as they raised money for such a worthy cause. A group of 5 or 6 elderly men had made a circle of chairs in front of me and I watched as they sat chatting about their wives and other things of the day. It made my heart smile knowing such love and out pouring came from such a thing. I will never be able to say thank you enough to those people that planned this event- as well as those who came and were part of the bidding for the evening. It was a truly a blessed evening.....raising over $1,000!
On Monday my mother approaches new territory in the cancer fight. She will be starting a new regimen of chemo. drugs as well as embarking on a clinical trial. She will be testing a new drug which will be administered along with her Chemo. If, however, she finds that the side effects to this new drug in the clinical trial are too much for her to handle she may leave the trial at anytime. This new Chemo. and trial drug will be administered in Kelowna which is about 2 hours away from their home which makes for a VERY long day of travel. My mother said she may be staying there in Kelowna when the snow comes so she won't have to travel so much. After Monday I'm sure we'll be given more news as to how the treatment went and how her body is reacting to the influx of all the new medication. But through it all I know my mother- she will put on a brave face and smile through it all!
Tonight was a true blessing- being surrounded by people who have such care and concern for others that they set aside there busy lives to come. The only thing I wish that was different about tonight was that I wish my mother could have been there. If nothing else- to see the love- yet I know she feels the love by the many cards and calls she has received and continues to receive.
I miss her dearly since I've returned home from visiting her. I miss having afternoon tea with her and sitting by the wood burning stove as it snowed outside leaving a fresh white coat on the mountains. She seems so far away sometimes- so far out of my reach...I want so badly to reach out and give her a hug and to nurse her back to health after her chemo leaves her tired and sleeping on the couch. I miss her very much especially on nights like tonight.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:1
