Seasons Change & Happy Father's Day

Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support this past week.  It took me a few days to get the blog site out to everyone and then of course I've been extra busy at work.  All that to say, I hope to post on a more regular basis starting today and actually respond to your sweet emails and comments.

I promised to share some of my journal entries from my time in treatment, and this week five years ago I was very busy writing.  I will definitely go back and share previous entries, but today I want to share part of the one I wrote on Father's Day-- five years ago-- and also post the email I sent out the night I began treatment.  I will comment more later.  

Most of you are probably aware that today is Father's Day and the First Day of Summer.  My dad, Don Lawson or "Daddy Don", is a very special man.  He is a Godly man, patient, gentle and kind.  He's funny, wise and has always made Jason, Jake (my brothers) and I feel like being our Dad and my Mom's husband were the best "jobs" in the world. He's a caretaker and always has a smile on his face. He's a great friend to all and has never met a stranger.  One of the loves my Dad shared with my Mom, my brothers and I was his love for baseball.  In the Lawson household, Baseball Season was the fifth season.  I can think of many nights we were the last family leaving the little league ballpark, turning the lights out as we made our way to the car.  Our family has shared many a great memory at the ballpark.  Even my summer at M.D. Anderson, my Dad and I enjoyed the College World Series from our luxury box (a.k.a.: my really expensive M.D. Anderson room) and watched Cal State Fullerton take the title.  Yes, Baseball Season may very well be my favorite season and my Dad is my hero.  Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there and Happy Summer to all!

Journal Entry: June 20, 2004  Father's Day

"Good morning Jesus!  Today is going to be a great day.  I'm glad I woke up to the sounds of my Daddy's snoring.  It's comforting knowing he's here and that I'll be spending Father's Day with him.  The boys are going to call later today and tell Dad about building his new gates-- what a great gift idea!  Jason is being so great and I was sad to see him leave yesterday.  Jason, Dad and I watched Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation (a classic) and laughed a lot.  So as for the recap of yesterday:  Lord, you showered me with your love again.  Thank you.  My time here in the hospital has been wonderful.  That's almost weird to write, but I can't imagine being any where else right now receiving care.  I had a wonderful conversation with my RN, Hilda, last night about faith and the Lord, and how He is my healer.  We discussed prayer and how it's the only way.  She could tell that my visitors yesterday were special people and that I was a very loved person.  Indeed, I am.  Thank you Lord for my sweet, faithful friends and family."