Sorry for my disappearing act. Summer is passing by quickly and I feel a bit like a whirling dervish. I've clearly dropped the ball on the blog! We just returned from a trip to the beach and Savannah -- and I have lots of things to share. You know, days of playing on the beach, eating great seafood, exploring old towns and having a cocktail with every meal. I will get to that eventually. But, right now my heart is heavy and I just can't think of those things. My mind is on Owen and his family who are dear friends of ours.
Owen is my oldest son's best friend. Owen and Sam are almost six. They were born five days apart and have been friends ever since they first met in playgroup as babies. They went to preschool together and were in the same kindergarten class this year. At the end of the year, Owen was given an award for being caring. Sam was given an award for being curious. Together, they are hilarious. I love to watch them and their other buddies play Star Wars and superheroes.
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| Owen and Sam at their joint birthday party last year. |
The day after we got back from our trip, we found out that Owen was diagnosed with leukemia. I felt punched in the gut -- and I can only imagine how my friend Mittie felt when she first heard those words about her son. His prognosis is very good and he is a trooper. It's just going to be a long, hard road to recovery. He has already started chemo and has more treatments on the horizon. He is surrounded by a loving family and a community that is has truly risen to the occasion to support him and his family in so many ways. It's been a beautiful thing to watch -- and to be a part of. Owen will be fine and one day soon he and his buddies will be playing Star Wars again. This, I know. We're just in the trenches now.
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| Darth Maul (their good friend Carter) and twin Darth Vaders at Halloween. |
So, this post really isn't about food. But, as always, food can be such a comfort to people going through a difficult time. I do want to share a few links I've discovered in the process of working on a meal brigade and online support system for the family. Check these out if you find yourself in that place:
General Support/Information Sites:
CaringBridge.com
CarePages.com
Meal Brigade Scheduling:
Lotsahelpinghands.com
MealTrain.com
Takethemameal.com
I'll be back soon! Meanwhile, please keep sweet Owen and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, if you're able, give blood and platelets to help Owen and others like him. And finally, if you'd like to follow Owen's progress, you can visit his CaringBridges page at
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/owenfox.
I'm so sorry to hear about little Owen and cannot fathom what he and his family are having to face in the coming months. A cancer diagnosis for anyone is terrible and frightening but all the more so when it's a child. Prayers have been offered for Owen and his family and for you, so that you will always have the strength to support your friends through this difficult and frightening time. God bless.
ReplyDeleteRachel - This post broke my heart. How hard it must be for Owen, his family, and for his best buddy, Sam. I am keeping Owen in my prayers. I so often find myself complaining about how exhausted I am as a mom of boys ... they have so much energy and can be so rambunctious! But my mom is always quick to remind me that means they're healthy and to be thankful for that. So indeed, I am thankful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers Paula and Rachel. We went to visit yesterday and he is doing great. Such a tough little guy!
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