She's home. She's home. She's home.

We've known it would probably happen today, but we didn't tell anyone because in the cancer world you can never be sure something is going to happen until it actually happens. Plus we have been too busy getting our house ready to even ask for help. (But thanks to our few family members that we did ask for help, and to my regular cleaners who put in extra time, and to the local carpet company who pulled guys off another job to get our carpets laid, and a few more...) We also needed Claire's homecoming to be low key. She is still in isolation and won't be making any public appearances any time soon, but at least she won't be making them from HOME. Did I mention she's home?

This year our Christmas has had a very clear focus. All we wanted was for our family to be together. Our time in the hospital, although emotionally draining, hasn't been all that bad. I recently read a talk by one of our church leaders. In it he quotes an interview with Bishop Desmond Tutu. It describes what we have felt this past month.
"During the interview the host asked a perceptive, inspired question of Bishop Tutu: 'Have you found that your relationship to God has changed as you've grown older?' (or, I might add, as you've gone through this thing) Bishop Tutu paused and then said, 'Yes. I am learning to shut up more in the presence of God.' He recalled that when he prayed in his earlier years, he did so with a list of requests and solicitudes. He would approach heaven with what he called 'a kind of shopping list.' But now, he said, 'I think I am trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there in front of the fire, and you don't have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.' "

Being in the pediatric cancer world, with the other patients and parents, the nurses and techs and doctors, and focusing on the people we love the most in the world has been pretty close to being in the presence of God, because He has been with us. Merry Christmas. She's home.

                     In the car for the first time in a month.

                              A little serious radio listening.

                       I picked up 13 prescriptions before coming home.

                       Just a few of our favorite people.

                   I promise Claire is smiling under her HEPA filtered mask :)

                        Joyce is just happy that I made more caramels ;)

                             Seriously, Jemma couldn't stop smiling.

                   I'm pretty sure Poncho is smiling, too. Jasper was busy eating.

                  Cuddling under this amazing quilt my dear friend made for me.