First, please accept my apologies for the silence over the past few days! Sometimes, silence isn’t a sign of something going wrong; it is simply because we are busy living—fully and deeply—in the moments we fought so hard to secure. We have just wrapped up what I can truly say was the most amazing Christmas and holiday break. It was a vital reprieve, a chance to recharge our weary souls for the challenges that lie ahead.
New Year’s at the Barn: The Beauty of the Simple Things
Our New Year’s Eve didn’t involve fancy galas or bright city lights. Instead, we chose the quiet sanctuary of the barn, surrounded by our inner circle—the close friends who have walked through the deepest valleys of life alongside us.
There is a specific kind of beauty in welcoming a new year in a barn. The air smells of sweet hay, the wind whistles through the wooden rafters, and there is a profound warmth found in sincere hugs and shared stories. That night, the sky above the farm was set ablaze by our own fireworks. In that flickering light, I watched the kids—children who deserve to enjoy a childhood like this every single day—tearing across the fields on their four-wheelers. The roar of the engines mixed with their unfiltered laughter, echoing into the cold night air.
Watching them ride with such freedom, their hair blowing in the wind and eyes sparkling with pure joy, I whispered to myself: “This is why we fight. This is what all of this effort is for.” Those moments acted as a healing balm for every scar our family has earned over the past year.
The “Cost” of Joy
But life has a way of reminding us of our shared reality. I ended up catching the “bug” that Charlie just recovered from. Throughout the evening, even as my body began to signal its distress, I pushed through. I refused to let it dampen the atmosphere. I wanted to soak in every ounce of my children’s laughter; I wanted to raise a glass to the new year with our friends.
Pure willpower kept me standing until we pulled back into the driveway a little after 1:00 AM. But the moment the door closed behind us, my body completely gave out. Yesterday and today have been rough, to say the least. Fevers, aches, and a bone-deep exhaustion have kept me pinned to the bed.
Yet, as I lie here in the quiet of my room, there is no regret. I accept this sickness as a fair trade. If the price of a magical New Year’s Eve for my children is two days of being wiped out, I would make that trade a thousand times over. I know that the memories of those four-wheelers and the fireworks will live in their hearts much longer than this fever will live in mine.
The Interlude Before “Judgment Day”
My illness comes at a sensitive time. Tomorrow is “Clinic Day”—the day we transition back from holiday magic to the reality of syringes, lab tests, and that unmistakable hospital smell. More importantly, we are only days away from January 8th and 9th—the two days scheduled for his critical scans.
Anyone on this journey understands the term “Scanxiety.” It is a silent, heavy pressure that creeps into every meal and every conversation. Each scan result feels like a verdict on the next chapter of our lives. It can be a ticket to a few more months of peace, or it can be the starting gun for a grueling new battle.
After a holiday season filled with laughter, pivoting back to a scan schedule feels like a jolt to the system. But this time, we are carrying something different with us. We are carrying the strength of a warm Christmas and the echoes of the kids’ laughter from the barn. We are packing those memories in our bags as we head toward the imaging rooms.
A Plea from the Heart
I am writing this while my body is still weary from the bug, but my mind is incredibly clear. We need our village to stand with us once more.
Please pray for my quick recovery so that I can have the strength to be the pillar my son needs in the coming days. And most importantly, please hold the dates of January 8th and 9th in your hearts. Pray for “clean” results. Pray for wisdom for the medical team as they interpret the images, and pray for our hearts to find peace regardless of the variables life throws at us.
This road has never been easy, but with the love and support of this community, we know we are never walking it alone. Thank you for your patience, for waiting for updates, and for the unwavering love you show our family.
We had an amazing break. We are recharged. And now, we are ready to face whatever comes next. Because beyond the fireworks, we are warriors.
Upcoming Schedule:
- 🏥 Tomorrow: Clinic Day for labs and check-up.
- 🔬 January 8th & 9th: Crucial Scans.
👇 PLEASE LEAVE A PRAYER OR A “❤️” TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY DURING THIS PIVOTAL WEEK!
#WillStrong #FamilyFirst #HolidayMemories #NewYearWarrior #ScanAnxiety #FaithOverFear #CleanScansOnly #KeepFighting
