The Tender Work of Caring for Mom

   I'm starting out this post with a stunning tree in mom's neighborhood. I have no idea what kind of tree it is. Maybe some sort of ornamental cherry blossom? It has the most splendid array of pink I have ever seen. It's breathtaking and reminds me of the beauty we so often overlook when we are overwhelmed with life's difficulties. Sometimes we just have to pause and appreciate the beauty in nature and consider any life lessons waiting there for us to discover. Mom loved all the seasons but she especially loved spring and all the signs of life blooming in her backyard.  We are enjoying the respite from treatment and continue to go to the hospital each week for a few therapy appointments. Mom is doing beautifully. So beautifully in fact that she received several compliments the week before last. When we arrived at the hospital for some lab work, and the valet attendant came out to wheel mom into the lobby.  The attendants are always so kind and helpful but there's o...

  They say the two weeks following radiation and chemo can be really tough. The side effects of the intense 6-week treatment still linger so mom has had to really take care not to overdo it and rest a lot. We're learning a lot through this process especially how to take extra special care of our extra special mother. We're quickly realizing limits and adjusting to a quiet routine. Mom continues to amaze us. She's been such a trooper getting through this second major hurdle in treatment.  One of the major perks about living in Boise is the glorious spring sunshine and the beautiful blue skies. Hollie took mom to meet up with Hillary at her neighborhood park in Tuscany. It's a joy to be with Hillary's boys. They miss Nanna so much and of course she misses them too. We can't get enough of their smiles.  Mom hasn't had the energy to do too much. For quite a while, our only outings have been to the hospital but Hollie and Hillary enjoyed taking mom to brunch one ...