Noon and all is well

Got here last night in the middle of supper. It was a feast ..... the relay of life folks put on a feed followed by the kids from a local church singing Christmas songs. They were so cute and I wish I could have videoed their faces when santa came in. As they exited a orchestra entered and put on a show.....it was amazing. Didn't think I, Sonya or Pop would like that kind of thing but Pop stuck it out. This morning he was telling folks at breakfast how much he enjoyed it. I was surprized it was new one for me. Of course there are many "new" things I am witnessing. I stayed down in the dining room chatting with Cayman last night (as ya'll have heard he likes to talk), we needed to catch up*L*. When I made it to the room, Pop was finishing a book he had been reading......HUH? Pop reading a book ..... for fun? That was a new one for me and when I told Shannon this morning she said "HUH?". After breakfast he even went to the library to look for another book to begin reading. He found one and headed up to read and rest. Speaking of breakfast ... Pop had the breakfast of Champions...a carnation 560 calorie drink ....chased by a 360 calorie boost plus... a cup of OJ. I had to tease him but I was really proud. He was telling another resident how they needed to keep eating or at least getting enough nutrition that it was so important to your feeling well. Funny thing.... It was just a week or so I set one night and watched Cayman chastise Pop and tell him the same thing as he refused to eat. Amazing! This hotel/fraternity house mix is an amazing example of one giant support group.

I have been downstairs in the dining area this morning doing work on the computer and phone and have just listened in on the folks as they have stopped to eat a bit or just visit before heading to treatment. What has been a little weird is the solemn mood, which is a bit odd, as this place has always been up beat. As I have listened ..... it is apparent folks are tired and battle weary. I really want to set here and cry for them. My heart literaly hurts. But to be truthful you would have to cry for them because they are a tough bunch and aren't setting here crying for themselves .... so you can't cry with them. I heard an amazing conversation about the children with cancer over at Moffitt and how they were so sad for them. That they had to deal with such an adult size disease so young and how they admired those kids bravery. Here was some folks with cancer, probably terminal, discussing and greiving not for themselves but for the kids suffering. All the resident seem to be having a tough day, not sure if its the weather as it has been raining or just the mid week fatigue. Despite the suffering, and it is so real here in this place, God is near. You can feel His presence ...... so strong .... and as Sonya, Shannon, and Toni can confirm, when you are here and can feel it, you don't want to leave.

The one upbeat spot though is Doug. (Talking about leaving) He is in his usual good mood and is pacing as he is scheduled to be finished tomorrow and is getting impatient. When I got here last night he was minus his cancer sucks pin.....and as you guessed it a young girl at the end of the serving line had one on.....I asked but didn't have to ...I already knew he had traded it for a hug. I'm gonna miss that chick magnet.

Lunch time is on .... I better go get Pop to eat. I'll be back later to fill ya in. Until then ....you know it! Love God...love people
TW