Pray for Tori

I just received an email from my son in Canada regarding their niece and nephew who were burned by boiling maple sap a few days ago. The boy, Derrick is now at home and receiving therapy so that his leg won't stiffen as it heals. His six year old sister, Tori, is hospitalized with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 35% of her body. Right forarm and hand, chest and stomach and both legs . She is going to have to get skin grafts, a step the doctors were hoping they would not have to take. In addition, she has been undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. The chemotherapy has to be halted now which may allow the cancer to return, but the chemo stresses her body too much and kills fast growing cells, like new skin, as well as making her even more susceptible to infection. Tori's mom says that Tori has jut about reached the end of her ability to endure medical treatments. Her mom is just about at the end of her ability to watch helplessly as her children scream in pain and terror. Her mom says that it is just about more than a soul can bear to see her bald, thin, six year old screaming in pain and shaking with terror, that "how much can a small child take". How much can a mother take?

I don't blame God for these events. I think that bad things happen in the world and that they are random, not meted out to the undeserving as "tests" of ones faith or as punishment for the misdeeds of others. I believe that God cries with Tori, Derrick and their parents, that His heart is open to them for comfort and support. I hope this family keeps their faith and is ble to find some solace in it. I also pray that Tori will heal as quickly as possible, without complications and without a return of the lympoma. Peace.

Long Weekends

I got off from work early Thursday and we had Friday and Monday as Holidays. I can't even begin to describe how lovely these extra days have been. Yesterday (Sat) we drove to the Bay area for granddaughter Angela's 9th Birthday party. Went to see Hannah Montana, the Movie. Ernie stayed behind with dad and big brother and met all of us girls at the park afterwards. This was a typical California party, with a pinata, cake and ice cream, the works. We decided to drive home last night rather than staying over, as we know we were welcome to do. Ernie had done more walking and stair climbing that he is used to and got very pale and shaky. I decided to bring hiim home rather than go to our son Eric's home where he'd have to climb a flight of stairs to go to bed. We were both glad to be home and arrived about 11pm, not too late a night.

We saw the last of the sunset over the San Francisco Bay near where Terry and Renee and children live in San Leandro, had supper at Hometown Buffet and told stories about the dad's when they were little. The kids all delight at the shenanigans of their parents! Angela, with her dad's help, continues to pursue a career in singing/acting for either movies or TV. She most recently came in second for a major role, which has her dad convinced that it is only a matter of time before she comes in first. I can't believe how mature she is for a twelve year old. She carries herself and presents as much older, although she is petite and still girlish in figure. She also maintains a nearly perfect 4.0 in Middle school, despite frequent absences for auditions, recording, etc. I know that all through the movie her dad (the only male along) kept thinking that "this could be Amber". Aaah, but for fate. Amber certainly has talent, looks, a voice from heaven, so maybe...

When I checked my email tonight I had a forwarded message from my son Jeff in Canada. His brother-in-laws daughter had sent it out earlier today. What started out as a cheery note on family life with three kids, two of who were learning to ride their bikes without training wheels (ages about 5 and 6) turned into a major horror story. Their mother had been boiling sap for maple syrup all morning and in a feak and sudden accident the two kids pulled a pot of boiling syrup over on themselves. Both have been flown to major burn centers for treatment. The little girl is already undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Some families get more than their share of pain and tragedy. Any prayers for them all would be appreciated.

That we raised five children from infancy to adulthood with only minor mishaps continues to amaze me. I can recite episodes of stitches, x-rays, casts for broken limbs, pneumonia, etc, but, thank God, nothing major or long-lasting like second or third degree burns. I hope that the children heal quickly, with minimal painful procedures necessary! Peace.