Maren came home from Phenom’s house after her first day there talking nonstop about The Girls: The Girls’ toys, The Girls’ bedroom, The Girls’ general awesomeness.  You see, Phenom has elementary-aged girls who dote on and indulge Maren’s whims in a way that I can only hope Maren will indulge Greta one day.  Maren is often a same-age...

‘Twas a great weekend. My Maren turned five.  I remember oh-so-well that feeling of giddiness when it is your birthday and you’re little.  She wiggled with the joy of it all weekend.  At her party I learned what a leader she is among her peers, and so enjoyed watching how she relates to the littles in her life: very tender and attentive (and, at times,...

Conversation between Maren and I @ 7:30am today: Bouncing from one foot to the other in excitement, Maren says, “Mom, when can we go to Phenom’s house?” Putting lotion on my face, “I have to finish getting ready, then we have to wake up Greta, then I was thinking I would feed Greta so Phenom doesn’t have to, then we can go.”  I...

My hair was coming out in chunks.  It was time.  Brad told Maren that we were going to cut my hair today; something we’d been talking about for two weeks now. Maren scrambled into my bed, bawling, “I don’t want you to lose your hair!  I don’t want you to be bald!” I snuggled her close and told her I didn’t need it.  I would still...

It’s been happening.  A couple of my nearest and dearest of friends, they have said it. “You are glowing.” “You look amazing and strong.” “You look taller (haha), your skin looks terrific.” “You look great.” I am glowing.  Brad and I look at each other, and shrug, and agree: we are not stressed.  We, as with...

Yesterday was another day of cancer normal.  I feel normal.  Greta was passed between my mom and I all day and didn’t seem to mind at all.  (Okay, so that is not normal, but I like it!) I’ve had short hair now for five or six days; I am used to it.  My day was filled very ordinary, even boring, tasks.  Dare I say, cancer is normal to me now?  Brad and I told my...