The people who care…
Mar 23
Oh. My. Gosh. The people who care. They are just coming out of the woodwork and it is so great. Each word, comment, prayer, text, and email buoys my steps and eases the weight.
This morning there was no crying in the shower. I got to play with and feed Greta. I’ve been peppered with cheering messages all morning. I have never been so happy that I am so normal this morning and that I am doing the laundry. Laundry has always been one of my favorite tasks because it is so concrete and I can accomplish something that I can see. As a stay-at-home-mom, there are many, many jobs that I do that are of the repeat.repeat.repeat. variety and nothing really changes. I mean, these kids, do you know they want to eat three meals a day? Like, every single day? I often joke that the first three years of life with a small child is all about wiping: wiping cheeks, wiping surfaces, wiping butts, wiping boogies. It’s not glamorous work, but I’m not glamorous either, so I love it.
Tonight I meet with Dr. Awesome and hear her part of The Plan. Her directness and truth-telling have been exactly what I need. She rocks. I know that she is studying my results and preparing, thinking, anticipating. (All while I do laundry! 🙂 ) Later, I have the MRI of my liver and spine. Yep, those tests that were ordered yesterday are happening today. People are wheeling and dealing and breaking the rules and asking for favors all on my behalf. I am free to just be me and all of these amazing things are going on in the background.
I pray and I think about all of the goodness.
I am special, I am not boring. So many people have shown me love in the past 4 days that these words have different meanings for me than they did on Day 1.
I will delight in the normal and I will revel in the good. God is clearly protecting me. And you, you, are His sheild.
You are not my child, but I have been kicked in the stomach as if you were!
You are not my child, yet I am stunned by the maternal emotions erupting within me!
You are not my child, but I feel a mother’s pride at your “grace under fire”!
Amazing! Woman! YOU!
Jen,
We love you and are thinking of you. We’re still in a state of shock…just got an email from your Mom. We’re confident in your “badass” fighting ability and grateful that you’ve been so diligent in your medical care. We’re ready to do whatever we can for you, Brad and the girls.
Love, Sean & Michele
Jen – I am so sorry to hear you have cancer. Despite having not seen you since all the way back in 1993 when we were just entering our teens, you have always held a special place in my heart. A bit corny, I know, but for some reason I felt a bond with you that I have only shared with a few others.
Your fighting spirit and unwavering faith is amazing. Know that someone is praying for you in San Diego.
Much love,
Elizabeth
You are a remarkable young woman. Brad is a lucky guy and Maren and Greta have an amazing mom.
You have our prayers as you begin this journey, a journey we wish you didn’t need to endure nevertheless. We will channel strength to you as you begin your treatments, but God will be your true strength and he will never leave your side.
I’m sure you have an incredible network of friends to help you and of course your family will always do what they can. Focus on your health Jen and let others take care of the rest.
Remember we love you and we’re a strong family who has already conquered some difficult times. This too you will conquer.
Hugs and kisses,
Darlene, Randy, Kaia, Kim, Eric, Carter, Ayva and Braxton
I love that you see that God’s people are His shield. I love that so many around you are rising up to be His hands and feet. The Body of Christ is a truly amazing thing.
Jen, I found you through Momastery. You are a fighter, sister. My family went through a life-or-death trial when our son was dx with a life threatening heart condition and, we, too found incredible sweetness in the midst of our tragedy. It brings out the best (and sometimes worst, but very rarely) in people. My best advice to you is to take every single scrap of help that is offered to you guys. You’re doing them a favor by taking it and it will take everyone you know to help you all get through it. Our story is at simonlev.blogspot.com (click “Good Times” list on menu on right for inspiring stuff…
Big big love
Jaime (and the rest of the Fitch-Jenetts)