More Joy, Please

As we get older, so many of those stories we hear about "someone" become stories about "us" and "our friends and family." I love it when those stories are joyful. And my chest shrinks when they are not.

I'm writing about this now because I've heard another story that contains both joy and sorrow. Out of the sorrow has come joy, and I hope only that grows.

If you're one to pray, or send good thoughts, or whatever, would you send up a few for almost-four-year-old Tess and her family? She was diagnosed on Tuesday, January 20th with neuroblastoma. That Friday she had surgery to remove a tumor and a lymph node.

Joy: By Monday afternoon, Tess had recovered enough to go home with her sisters and brother.

Because cancer is also in her marrow, it's likely Tess and her parents will fly this weekend to have her marrow harvested (so it can be reintroduced later, after the bad marrow has been removed) and to begin a regimen of chemotherapy. That out-of-state stay will last several weeks.

Through all of this, Tess and her family will need all the support they can get.

It doesn't matter how Tess is connected to me, because all that matters is that hopefully now she will be connected to you, as you join the prayer chain for her recovery. (But if you're curious, she's the second daughter of one of my sister's best friends.)

After reading the Journal on Tess's Caring Bridge site, I felt compelled to spread the word of Tess' challenge. I don't believe it was just my need to type that moved me to do so.

Joy: I believe I'm part of Tess' little army now. Within the Journal, Spencer and Libby have eloquently chronicled their absolutely incredible week. Their strength and faith and graciousness are humbling.

Joy: It's amazing what we can do when put to the test, especially when we're surrounded by love and faith. I pray warmth will continue to wrap them, and to heal little Tess. And that the joy that is this warmth will continue to grow.

Read her story: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princesstess