It was a Clinic Day.

_sigh_

I had to pull out my Mary Poppins Voice a few times to keep the Brave Boy in line, but overall it was as good as it could be.

There was a hilarious movie playing in the waiting room, the nurse was nice, and the Brave Boy played with the toys for a bit before we left.

Once we were in the car, the Brave Boy started rejoicing.

'VIDEO GAMES!!!'

'After Rest Time.'

oh dear. You would have thought the World was going to End.

'I don't NEED a REST.'

**cheerfully** 'That's ok. You'll have one anyway.'

'The Other Girl NEVER made me HAVE a REST TIME.'

'That's ok. You'll still have one. The Beautiful Lady will back me up.'

**wail** 'SHE SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR SIDEEEEEEEEEEEE.' **pause** 'I won't sleep.'

'That's ok. You just have to have an hour of No Electronic Stimilation.'

'I won't do an hour.'

By now, I was using my Mary Poppins Voice in it's Purest Form... Cheerful, but Unbending.

'You WILL have ONE HOUR of No Electronic Stimulation. That is Non-Negotiable.'

**silence in the car**

---

Ahhh. Yes. How many times have I had the same conversation with God? Telling that I don't need it, don't want it, won't take it, completely unnecessary, completely decline, besides no one has recommended it... OH BY THE WAY DID I TELL YOU THAT I DID NOT NEED IT!?

He smiles.

'My Child, this is Non-negotiable... because I love you.'

My family has never been Heroic, said the Brave Boy, regretfully, as we passed a Sign for a Lost Cat.

They haven't?

No... All we do is go to Work and School and Church and and practice Violin and go to Concerts.

Could beating Cancer could be considered herioc?

Naw... That doesn't Count. It's doesn't Help Other People.

I thought of all the people who had heard his story, had seen him set his jaw during chemo, or whom he had tickled... People who had walked a little taller, worked a little harder, and found courage to face another day because of a Brave Boy.

Perhaps the Greatest Heros are those who don't know their own Greatness. 

What has all this taught you?

I asked the Beautiful Lady as we ate ice cream on the back patio.

We were all celebrating the completion of TWO medicines.

The Beautiful Lady paused over her Tiramasu Delight.

To Trust. To trust when you cannot see... To trust that He is control. And that He is good.

today

the Brave Boy went back to school, for the first time in over a year.

without a mask.

all on his own.

He did not seem to understand why the Beautiful Lady and I were crying.

Allow me to Introduce you to the Beautiful Lady.

She sings, she prays, she dances around the kitchen.

She even buys ice cream for Ordinary Days.

When the Brave Boy was first diagnosed with cancer,

The Beautiful Lady came to live with the family.

She was the Brave Mommy's Dear Friend from Long Ago.

It was decided that the Beautiful Lady would study for her PhD and become the Official Cheer Leader until the Brave Boy was well.

Then the Brave Mommy got sick.

When the Brave Mommy got better, the Brave Boy was told he had relapsed.

It's been a Crazy Ride... and all through the Hospital Visits, Treatments, and Tears,

the Beautiful Lady has been there.

"We must Celebrate the Ordinary Days," she said. "You never know what will be coming next. That makes every day Special."

It was Tuesday Night.

And, as with all Tuesday Nights,
we were singing.

Singing away the cares of the day... singing singing singing.

By this time,
we were even onto CHRISTMAS SONGS.

yup.
serious biz, man.

The Grown Up Child rolled her eyes.

This is an Unfortunate Habit of the Grown Up Child.
 Miss Elizabeth has thus far been able to Refrain from any Comments about how one's eyes might ROLL OUT OF HER HEAD one day, if the Aforementioned Child is not Careful.

'Christmas Songs?? It's NOT the SEASON,' said the GrownUp Child with Great Condescension.

'It is ALWAYS the Season to Sing Christmas Songs,' replied Miss Elizabeth, firmly. 'It is always the Season to Remember why He came.'

'God so loved the world and sent His Son. Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. THAT is the Christmas joy.' ~ Corrie ten Boom

Clinic Day.

sigh.

We always dread it, even though the staff is so kind.

But today...

Today was a good day.

We were told that the Brave Boy can finally end TWO medicines.

If you have ever had to take medicines 10 times a day or had a list of medicines that requires a detailed schedule... You know the rejoicing that's happening right now.

TWO MEDICINES GONE.

And, not only that, he does NOT have to wear a mask when he steps outside of the house.

Have you ever had to wear a mask everywhere you go because one wrong germ and you could die? Not to mention how people stare...

School is looming in the near future... going to his favorite restuarant... he might even be able to go to the pool.

I sit here with tears in my eyes... It's not just about the Brave Boy.

As he wins his battles, my heart is encouraged to keeping surrendering to Him, trusting Him with the Unknowns, believing that He is good to His children.

Spring is coming.

"Courage, dear heart." - Aslan

Baby Sister and I were all Snuggly in the Rocking Chair.

Darling Boy was hopping around on one foot,
getting out the Last Wiggles before Bed.

And we were Singing.

Singing, singing, singing.

He's Got the Whole World In His Hands.
Jesus Loves Me.
God Made Me Thumbody Special.
Fear Thou Not.

And, for some very Odd, Unknown Reason,
the Grown Up Child had Condescended to Join Us. (!!)

We were just about to Launch into our Favorite Bedtime Hymns when The Grown Up Child rolled her eyes.

ANOTHER song??

ah.

yes.

Miss Elizabeth had a momentary flashback to a time where she could not sing.
Not only was there no song in her heart,
but, literally, the song could not, would not come out when she opened her mouth.

There is no such thing as Too Many Songs, said Miss Elizabeth, firmly.

And that was that.

... to my Tuesday Children.

Every other Tuesday, I come over to Hold Down the Fort while the Parents go to Bible Study.

6 yr old Grown Up Child. She is one of the most cynical, snarky little souls I have ever encountered. A metaphorical cousin of the Drama Child, she is very insecure... and her soul is hungry. She is also the child who threatened to pull down her brother's pants if he didn't give her what she wanted. ehem. Perhaps she will one day learn not to be so grownup...

4 yr old Darling Child. His imagination and delight are amazingly untouched by the hardness of the Grown Up Child. Loves loves loves to sing... so every Tuesday night we sing while I rock the Baby Sister.

2 yr old Baby Sister. A little spoiled... But what Baby Sister isn't? Fiercely loyal to both older siblings. Cries token tears whenever parents leave, but we all know it's just for show.

ah. yes. stay tuned... the life lessons come, whether you want to or not.

You know you're the only one who still uses Xanga, right?

ah.
yes.
I know.

And somehow,
I don't mind.

Somehow it just seems to be my little corner...

Thanks for stopping by.