It's been over a month since my last blog post, and I desperately wish that wasn't the case...for a multitude of reasons. First, for those who do not know, my mom has been battling and dealing with complications from cancer since last May when she was diagnosed. More recently her condition has taken a major turn for the worst and she has reached the end of her fight. Whatever happens now is 100% in God's hands. For the past three weeks she has been hospitalized at UW Medical Center in Seattle, but yesterday she was able to be taken home. With Hospice and Option Care services, the main goal is to keep her comfortable and happy until the Lord calls her home. We are SO happy that she's home and that we can be with her so much more now that we don't have the long trek to and from Seattle every day. She seems happy to be surrounded by all her family, and I just pray that her remaining days are full of comfort and peace. Only God knows what is in store for her and our family, and even though I can't understand why He is making my mom suffer, I can only trust and be faithful. We do feel confident that He has prepared us girls, my dad, our husbands, and our children for what's to come. A huge thank you from my family and I for all of the wonderful things and services you have offered us over the past few weeks and in the future. I haven't had to cook dinner (unwillingly at least) for a good three weeks, and there are no signs of that stopping either. I haven't had to worry about work, my kids, or my house either. A lot of that is due to my amazing husband, but also a large portion is because people are so giving and self-less. I so much love you all.
Even though it's hard for me to focus on anything more than my mom and her care, I have found joy and reprieve from the occasional day at home with the kids, or evening with Rob. These pictures are very random happenings from the last month, but they make me smile at a time when my smiles are few and far between. Life after all, continues to go on...even when we wish we could just press the pause button and hold things still for a few moments.
Lastly, I have been wanting to share something that Jack reminded me of the other day. Whenever I feel sad that I will lose my mom and not know how to go on without her, I need to remind myself of this. In reaction to some tears and an honest conversation about death with Jack, he reminded me that "Mom, it will only be a little while that you won't get to see Grammy, and then Jesus will say, 'Joelle, it's time to come to Heaven' and then guess what? You'll get to see your mom again!" I am so blessed to have a faith that no one or nothing can touch, but also so blessed that my child has that faith as well. That "makes my heart so happy"...another Jack-ism:)
