I spent a long weekend in Princeton, NJ spending time with my brother and sister-in-law and their family. My sister-in-law is full of life and laughter. She is a very strong-willed woman who knows what she wants and goes out and gets it. She is not shy, very successful and loves her family unconditionally. She is the matriarch of the family and everyone seems to come to her for advice, unconditional love and her amazing cooking. No one goes home hungry in this family - no one! I really enjoyed spending time with her, albeit short, talking, sharing stories and laughing out loud. I admire her strength and courage at this very difficult time. Her husband, my husband's brother, is battling AML; acute myeloid leukemia. For the past 12 months my brother-in-law has spent 8 months in the hospital having numerous rounds of chemo and a marrow transplant. They live in NJ and wanted the best of the best so he is in a hospital in Philly which is over an hour drive one way. The challenges they face on a daily basis are extraordinary and yet she carries herself with grace. I am thankful to have her as my sister-in-law.
My husband stayed on to help with driving, running errands and going to the hospital to spend time with his brother. This is a difficult time for him. He tries to stay upbeat and positive but is struggling to understand why, after just one year of his brother's retirement, he is diagnosed with this horrible acute disease. I know in my heart of hearts everyone has their destiny. Their path is charted. But this is a tough one to swallow. I pray for my brother-in-law and his family and for my husband so that he may come to terms with this and allow himself quality time with his brother. I am grateful that my husband took the time to stay and do this for his family. I love you baby.
What are you grateful for?
I love you too honey. Yes, this is a tough one. I struggle all day every day to be positive for my family, but I do it, and would gladly do it again. After my brother, I am all that's left of our little family. It's really hard for me to absorb. My extended family is so wonderful, so accepting and so forgiving of my continual absence in their lives. It leaves me speechless, and ashamed to have been so out of touch for so many years.
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