Downward Day

Today was a downward day for Leslie. Overall I think she's making progress but it feels more like three steps forward and two steps back. It's progress, but slow. She was really worn out and is still struggling from the effects of radiation. I think the emotional exhaustion is bearing its weight on her as well. We're all ready for this to be over, as silly as that probably sounds. Who wouldn't be?

She still manages to do a lot for our family. Tonight she cooked a yummy dinner of eggs and broccoli wrapped in a tortilla. The kids scarfed it up which is always a blessing. She then read with the kids, helped McGrooter with his homework, and went through flash cards of sight words and math problems. She continues to amaze me.

I'm still learning how to be understanding and compassionate. I'm such a man when it comes to this, still thinking there is something I have to fix. I need to learn that I don't need to say anything more than, "I'm sorry and I love you." I think this is true for so many people when they hurt. This is true for me too. In times like this I don't want to hear instruction or a solution. Those things often seem to demean my pain. And so I need to show more compassion like this to her.

Leslie's grandmother is back in the nursing home, but they have called in hospice. There really seems to be no improvement for Nannie. They are just trying to make her comfortable. Please continue to pray for Nannie and Poppie. I know he is beyond exhausted.

Pray too the kids would sleep through the night. We have not had an uninteruppted night of sleep in a long time.