In early September, satisfied that the children were settled and doing well in school, I went in for an elective surgery.  My doctor found cancer and our world was shaken for a second time in seven years.  More surgery followed, chemotherapy and radiation.  My friends and family jumped into action once again to help take care of this stubborn, independant cancer patient.  I didn't want them to focus on me.  But they did.  With God's grace, we got through the storm.  With side effects, uncertainty and sometimes tears, we did it with God's help. 

I learned even though I wanted to be super mom and do all things for all people... I had to learn to accept help.  I had to learn to accept the fact that I might not be able to help my children the way I wanted to.  I kept going again only with the Lords strength, putting one foot in front of the other. 

But now at the end of the school year I realize the Lord held us up as a family through this storm.  The friends and teachers he put in our lives were the perfect help we needed at the time.  When I was too weak to think about buying snacks for school.  Mrs. Smith was always there with a closet full to make up for  my deficit.  Just about the time my hands and feet got neuropathy and a shopping trip seemed not only painful but impossible.  Mrs. Smith filled the supply wish list for my little one. And most importantly there were plenty of hugs for the children too along with words and prayers of encouragement.

As school winds down, I realize how blessed we were by these particular teachers, friends, the ladies that worked the phones at the school and administrators.   God put these special angels in our lives to hold us together during the battle.  Today I realized how I will always deeply love these people for coming to the rescue.  They helped with big things and little things.  Sometimes for a child that little thing is what he or she will remember for a life time.  Little things like having a snack just like everyone else in class..  Thank you for being there. 

    I look back and sometimes wish I could have been healthier and more energetic for my children.  But I realize that God gave us all a greater gift and lesson than just mom being mom.  He showed us his powerful love through so many others hearts and hands.

But I'm praising God today... as these teachers hand my children back to me now... for the summer... I just got a clean PET scan!  Which means the doctors see no cancer in my body.  With the lesson of love this year, now I plan to enter the summer and pray that now it's time for mom to be mom!

Many blessings to you and thanks to all for your prayers.  Know I pray for you too!

Brenda