Wishes

Surprise!

You know Kaylee, there is a lot of bad stuff in this world.  But, man, I can hardly speak (or write for that matter), without a lump in my throat of so much pure goodness there is from the sweet generosity of others.  The things people think of to do for people in times of need never ceases to amaze me.  The Make a Wish foundation is just one organization that has turned the end of an exhausting journey into a memory filled, dream trip that we alone would have never been able to do. 
Revealing your wish, to go to Disney World, was the perfect way to celebrate the end of your treatments.  We gathered some family at your favorite restraunt and the Wish makers planned an evening of presents and surprises that alone was a dream come true.  Then we had the Trip just weeks to look forward to!  I am just so impressed at the lengths others go to, to help perfect strangers.  I hope we can always pass it forward.

Checking out the Itinerary

Wishmakers :)

"Wishes Really do Come True"--so true

One Happy Girl!

The Light

There is a light at the end of every tunnel.  Sometimes you are so far back that you can't even see it.  The farther you walk in what feels like a thick tangible darkness, you search hopingly towards a possible horizon, wanting to spot some sort of light.  Sometimes it feels like it may never come.  Other times it feels like the light is just a mirage, or what seemed like the light turned out to be just a small firefly, keeping your hope alive for a moment. Those aren't things to get you down when times are tough.  Those are things to be thankful for in darkness, because it keeps you putting one foot in front of the other.  It's what keeps us enduring to the end. We were thankful for every spark, every fleeting glimpse of light.  We basked in it.  But, with every tunnel, before you know it, you can see it -the real and actual light, at the end.  And with every step the light gets bigger and brighter.  And you know that it is for real.

For us, the week before Christmas, on December 14th of 2011 we were glad to step out of that dark tunnel once and for all.  Not only could we see the light but for the first time in 6 months we could shake off the dark unknown that had been at our backs for so long. I wish I could say that it will be the last tunnel you must endure. There will always be dark unknown places we must fordge through in life.  I just hope you always remember the strong grasp we had on that firm and unwavering rod of iron that lead us when we don't know which way is up, or what the next step was going to bring.  That tight hold made all the difference.  Because Kaylee, no matter the tunnel, the length, or how dark it may seem we will always be there to help you hold onto the truth and lead you in the direction you should go.

Thankful

So many things to be thankful for when Thanksgiving came around:
We were thankful that there was only one treatment left. 

We were thankful that your tumor was gone, and not showing signs of coming back. 

 We were thankful that even though you had chemo the day before you were able to eat some thanksgiving dinner. 

 We were thankful we had grandparents that live in the area now to eat dinner with. . .
. . and even more thankful I didn't have to cook any of it! 

We were thankful for a willing teacher who come to our house everday to teach you your school lessons. 

We were thankful for church teachers who came to visit, bring food, and sing songs when you couldn't go to church. 

But mostly we were thankful for a loving Heavenly Father. 

 For a Savior who knew what you were going through, and helped ease some of your burdens and pain.
We were thankful for angels who watched over us. 

We were thankful for hundreds and hundreds of prayers from our wonderful family and friends. 

They worked. 

And for that we are so very thankful.

Halloween

 You wanted to embrace the baldness for halloween.  It was a tough choice between a skeleton rocker, or putting a face on the back of your head to be a backwards forwards girl. 

Rocker Skeleton won.

I dare say it is the most unique skeleton costume anyone has ever seen :)

Confidence

 Snakes have a layer they sluff of every once in a while.  It will become dry and brittle and they rub over rocks and sticks pulling free from the old, ready to embrace a new layer of skin. 

We parent's want to teach our kids to be comfortable in their skin. From the minute they are born we cheer on their sucess and nudge them forward with their talents.  We want you kiddos to love those thing that make you unique.  You have never had anything in your appearance that has set you apart more from those around you like you have now. 

I have watched you deal with the drastic change of your hairloss like a champ.  We did all we could think of to make it an easy transition for you. You have a very impress collection of headwear.  But nothing has given me quite so much joy, as to see you start to pull off those hats, and headbands, and scarfs and just be comfortable in your new skin. 

You know that people may whisper, or point, or even stare sometimes.  But it doesn't slow you down or keep you from doing what you want to.  You are able to laugh if someone asks if you are a girl or a boy,  and know, that you may not have known either had you been in their shoes.  You are okay with it, because you know who you are, and the things that make you special aren't always on the outside. You even like your new do so much you've thought it may be good to shave your hair off every year.   That makes me feel like we are doing something good. 

Snakes, they don't look back at that old skin.  I dont think I've ever seen one try to slither back inside.  I'm glad you are comfortable in your new skin.  Someday you will look just like everyone else.  Your golden hair will sweep across your shoulders again, and your cheeks will have a soft, glowing roundness to them, and I have no doubt you will be a great helper for those who need a little help being comfortable in their own skin. 

Bracelet for sale

I remember when we first went to the hospital and we were waiting around for a few days before you had your surgery.  We would wander down to the gift shop, that is filled with all sorts of fun things.  You had already aquired some fun gifts in your small time at the hospital, but you really wanted to get a charm bracelet.  I don't blame you.  With all the fun animated charms dangling in front of us, i sort of wanted one too.  I told you no, feeling like i really wanted to give you the world, and all that you wanted in it, but knowing that a pile of stuff wasn't about to change your future.

 I decided though, that when you started your treatments I would surprise you with a charm bracelet for you to add a charm to each time we finished a treatment.  It was so fun after a long day to go to the gift shop and find something that related to you at the time.  A princess crown for our story; a bowl of cereal, because that is all you ever eat; sunglasses for the hot summer we were in; an ipod for all the playing around on yours you had been doing; an ice cube, cause it's so darn cold in that hospital.  We have quite a collection. 

But these days, you'd rather see it sold. For you, the thought of picking out a charm turns your stomach.  It's one of the subtle reminders to me that you made this all seem easier than it was. Because once you started feeling better those charms were a jingling reminder of your sickest times.  Despite protest, we kept it going, even though you may wish it away.  We will tuck it away for when you are old. Because someday you will have a daughter of your own sitting on your lap who will ooh and ahh over those priceless momentos hanging from each ring, and as you tell her what each charm means you will truly understand how brave and strong you were.

Vision

Kaylee, you will hear a lot of people say that hindsight is always 20/20.  What that really means is when you look back on a situation you can see it much clearer than when you are actually in it. When I see your improvements it only amplifies in my mind how easy you have made this all look. Deep down I know grown men that would rightfully stay in bed a week after a big does of chemo, or weeks of radiation. But, it's hard for us parent's sometimes.  Maybe because we want to pretend like it really isn't all that bad.  Or maybe because we just will never know what it is like to be in the shoes of our sick child.  All we can do is try to keep your life going along as normal as possible. 

So, I hope you will forgive us that we made you clean your room, or put away your clothes, or put your dishes up, even if you didn't feel like doing it.  Now that I see your energy returning again, I realize how subtlety it depleted only coming in bursts for a quick bike ride, or sprinkler session.  As a mom, any energy we see quickly translates into cleaning energy or getting stuff done energy.  But you know it's not that simple. You knew before we did.  It's all so clear now that you have bounced back into your self-sufficient ways,  that none of this was easy for you.  You just made it look that way.  Looking back has shown us the full scale of how awful you felt during those rigorous treatment months, and I am more impressed with you than ever. What a lucky mom I am to have you here to teach us such important life lessons.  Thank you for showing us all how to be strong when it's hard, and without complaint. And for teaching us to use what energy you have for only the very most important things-like play time with family.  It's a shame that foresight isn't as clearly seen as hindsight.  But I have learned that what is in the future can wait, what is in the past can teach us, But what we do in the present is what we need to make really count.