Women

I thought I would wait until the very end of the year, the very last blog post, for the old "saving the best for last." That would be a huge thanks to the women in my life this past year that have helped, encouraged, loved, prayed for and supported me through this terrible disease. While I don't have a cool poem or pithy saying or anything, here are a few women that blessed me this year.

Mom. I know the year didn't finish like we wanted. I know you're disappointed about not finishing your shift in Greeley and about not being able to be here in Denver today. I am amazed at the strength you showed helping two of the three men you love most in this world battle through cancer. Thanks for another "summer camp" for the kids, an amazing week in San Diego, all the phone calls and text messages, and the unwavering support for your son. I love you.

Janet, my favorite mother in law and "wet nurse." I am so thankful the kids have been able to spend so much time with you, both in Greeley and the Western Slope. Thank you for staying with me after my surgeries, getting me to appointments, learning about my bag, and helping change it in the beginning. Thanks for sharing your church with me, praying for me, loving me, and continuing to build and strengthen our relationship.

The Morrison women! What a huge encouragement it was to always see supportive notes on Facebook every time I posted something related to my illness or treatment. During those dark days this summer, your messages touched my heart and brought me to tears. Love from the Tetons and Love from Montana were very special.

Aunt Kim!! The website that you helped construct and build was an unbelievable blessing! Thank you for the power of prayer that you and Wesley are. Thanks for making possible the various trips to Colorado that Wes made this fall. Your faith in The Lord and your trust in Him are an inspiration to me!

Penny! PPP! You did an amazing job this summer and fall on the chip isle of always pointing me back to God. You encouraged me with His word, a devotional, or a word of prayer on my behalf. The support on Facebook and homemade goodies were always welcome!

Hope, for the coffee, meals, fellowship, support and prayers. Lea thanks for the blood donation, the kind emails, and the statue and medallion of the patron saint of cancer. Thanks to Jennifer's group of friends who loved and supported her so that she could love and support me: Shep, Janelle, Jackie, Amy, Kristen and Kelly. And Kelly, what an amazing offer to create art for those people who supported us financially. I hope you are almost done with all those pieces!!

Which now leaves me to one amazing woman. The number one woman of 2012. Jennifer Sue. I'm not even sure where to begin. Since that one terrible day on May 31, I have been blown away and once again reminded in a powerful way, of the woman that you are. The strength, the perseverance, the tender love, the calm and reassuring partner that was always there. I can't imagine how hard it has been to be the care giver for you sick husband. I think back to those first dark weeks in June, and am struck by how strong you were. How determined you were. How supportive you were in all the meetings, tests, doctor appointments, and the sheer information overload.

I am still so amazingly blessed by your tender love that you showed me repeatedly through the summer, fall and winter. I know there were some intense days, and some heated conversations, but through it all, you loved me. You loved me so much that you learned how to help me with the care and maintenance of my bag. You held me when I was scared, in pain, hopeless. You cried with me when we got good news on some test or procedure or operation or something. You encouraged me to exercise, eat right, stay positive and pray.

Jennifer, my sweet sweet Button, as this year finally draws to a close, I just want to remind you of how much I love you. How much I need you. How much I want you. Thank you for never giving up, even when I wanted to. Thank you for your unconditional love. I promise I will shave.