South of the Ohio River

Sedona and I have been in Fort Myers Beach with my parents since July 18, and what a blessing it is to be here. With two more sets of three infusions, my mom is half way through her second round of chemo -- that's just eight weeks until she closes the books on what her oncologist calls her "double-barreled" treatment for uterine cancer.

While I'm here to offer whatever support I can during my mom's battle with the CBitch, I can't help but feel that the one receiving the most out of this extended stay is me. It is a gift to be part of my parent's daily routine, to experience with them the ordinary, the unexpected, the sweet, the melancholy. Being with them is also a kind of glorious mind/time bender. I frequently find myself  subsumed by rich family memories then pole vaulting into thoughts of the "way" future -- as in what am I learning here that can impact where I'll be in 20-30 years. The tick of the clock keeps me firmly rooted in the now, however, and I thank God for every second spent in the presence of my beautiful parents.

Pics o' the Day

The quintessential golden retriever!
Had our first morning beach walk today.

A glorious sunset.