Liam
I am not a big fan of Facebook. Actually, I am rather neutral to Facebook. I don’t know enough about it to either be a fan or not.
But Patti shares information periodically that she sees on Facebook. I have laughed and cried at some of the items. Actually because I am human, I think I probably have experienced the entire range of emotions.
But if there is anything I do realize about Facebook is that it is personal. How much a person wants to share on Facebook is entirely up to them. Individuals can be as open or as guarded as they are comfortable. I have seen some postings that baffle me how someone could share that “kind of ” information.
And, sometime these personal postings can create more of a community than an individual may have thought possible.
Here’s an example. Our daughter, Casey, was a nanny for over a year. Daily, she took care of the needs of two magical boys in central Texas. I have written about these two guys in fighting damien before. Kaedon and Brady are two young boys that bring tears of joy whenever I see their pictures, or Patti shares with me their latest antics. A younger brother, Mason, has joined them. There is not one picture of Mason that I have seen where he is not smiling. Three of a kind and the parents, Jess and Mike, and you have a full house. That trumps!
Ryan
Recently, a friend of the family was blessed with twin sons. Liam and Ryan were born at 24 weeks, quite a bit early. Carrie and Craig are as attentive and devoted to these two little ones as any loving set of parents could be. Periodically, Patti shares with me Facebook pictures and postings of Liam and Ryan as they progress with their stay in the hospital. They are gaining strength and moving toward that day when Carrie and Craig can take them home.
Along with my own grandson, Carter, I pray for these little ones about daily. They are so full of life and hope and promise. I don’t know these kids very well, but with Patti’s and Casey’s help, I sure feel like I do.
The other day I met with an exercise trainer. He’s helping me to start a program that will help me escape a sedentary lifestyle. With the cancer, I need to be much more active than I am.
When I came home, I stood next to a wooden plaque that my friend, Joe, gave me when I was first diagnosed. I look at this plaque about every day. Here’s what it says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
It’s Jeremiah 29:11.
When I looked at this yesterday, instead of thinking about what the Lord may have in store for me, I thought of Jeremiah 29:11 as a promise for those precious little boys. I may have a sense of what this promise holds, but these little fellas are full of living right now. Two are working to leave the hospital. Three are fully boys, deep in childhood and enjoying life to the fullest.
For me, it is a source of comfort to know that God has promises for us all, and always has, whether we’re older and grappling with cancer, or other issues, or young children filled with today’s laughter.
It’s moments like these that make my days truly magical.
fighting damien 
September 30, 2011 at 5:56 AM
Derek, all I have to do is look at the life Renee and I have shared together to raise some very profound questions: a premature baby, Renee’s Ovarian Cancer, Renee’s Thyroid Cancer, my Parkinson’s Disease, my CIDP, my Fibromyalgia, my A-Fib, my SVT’s.
One conclusion one could quickly draw is there is no God, because He would never bestow such an ugly picture on two people. I have never subscribed to this view.
Another conclusion is that God does not bestow disease on people, but does bestow the ability to accept, deal with, and transcend such difficulties. This is where I stand. And I have believed it time and again in our life’s journey together.
There is no doubt in my dtLove, Confidence, and Faith allow one to transcend illness. And further, I believe that these come from God.l
The fact that you are aliv is a testament to this fact. The fact that Renee and I have not just crumbled is yet further proof. If others facing serious diseases couldw this truth, I wonder how much less suffering, and more joy there would be.
God Bless! Phil
September 30, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Phil, there is no doubt that you and Renee have had your battles — much more than any two people I know. And, I completely agree that Love, Faith and Confidence transcend illness. God has given you the strength to persevere strongly. It is truly looking for the joy that does allow us to go beyond the adverse infirmities and calamities that surround us. God bless you and Renee.