Thankful

Good news… we moved from the 14th Floor to the 9th Floor this afternoon!!!!  I never unpacked, so when Nurse Esther came in with the news I said, “Great… are you talking 30 minutes or a couple of hours cuz I’m ready, I don’t have to pack anything, it’s all bagged up”.   I think I startled her when she said about 30 minutes and I gave a “woo hoo”!   Then I had to appologize and let her know that it had nothing to do with her… she was great.  And she really was wonderful, but can I tell you the relief??!  And I have to say the 9th Floor really is a different floor in so many ways.  There is a homeiness here.  The kids play in the halls differently here. The family room is full of families and treats and Thanksgiving dinner brought by patients of the past who have lived this life.  There is a sense of family here.  There is a familiarity since the children are “regulars”.  Walking through the doors and onto the floor there was an immediate comfort in seeing the nurses that we are getting to know better and better with each stay.  The pity party of yesterday is over and today is Thanksgiving… and we are thankful.  As scripture states… Give thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ  …  Ephesians 5:20   We are thankful that TCH exists to care for our baby.  We are thankful that there is hope for Jake.  We are thankful that we have him here, with us, right now.  We are thankful that there is treatment and there are those who have the knowledge and the heart to heal.  We are thankful for our family and all of our children.  Although much is centered around Jake right now, we are so very thankful for all of them.  We are thankful for the celebration of Meghan’s 26th birthday tomorrow and we are thankful to celebrate Ryan’s 9th birthday on Saturday.  We are thankful for friends and family that have surrounded us and kept our world in motion these past weeks… without you, where would we be?  We are thankful for our church and the love and letters and support they have showered us with. We are thankful for all of those we know and those we’ve never met who continue to rally around Jake.  We are thankful that our precious little boy is bringing people together and reminding us that cancer strikes anyone, anytime. It happens to the boy next door – it’s real and it’s aweful.  Yet in the midst of this struggle there is beauty in the love and kindness and goodness that comes at the most unexpected times.  We are thankful for the gift of life that God grants each one of us.  We Are Thankful!  And our hearts are full… our bellies too!