Day 171. Justin is bruised and tired and neutropenic, meaning his white blood cell count is very low and he’s at high risk for infection. He received a platelet transfusion Wednesday, and we are driving to clinic now for a CBC to determine if he needs another blood transfusion.

Car. I just heard myself say to Michael, “…and you can sit there and think life isn’t fair cause it isn’t.” What does that even mean? I don’t know. But it stopped the bickering over a dumb Incredible Hulk ball. I can’t stand when the boys fight in the car. It’s like three little dogs yapping in surround sound.

Struggle. Is anyone else battling epic asthma today? I feel like an elephant is sitting on me. Maybe because it’s so hot you could fry an egg on my driveway.

Fry. Fried. Yep, that’s me today. As if that wasn’t obvious. Where can we go when burnout ebbs out our flow and we just don’t have the strength to play the glass-half-full game?

Hope. I go to the Word of Truth that tells me that THIS LIFE IS NOT ALL THERE IS. It’s just a blip on the map of eternity. And because of my faith in what Jesus has done for us, I get to spend that eternity in goodness and beauty. But most thrilling is that my Savior will forever be there and we will see and know Him fully.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Clinic. I just walked past a partly pulled curtain looking for an empty bay. My eye caught a quick glance of a young girl having an IV placed. Her mother held her tightly, pulling her daughter’s face against her own. I know that particular embrace well. The girl’s shoulders shook but she didn’t make a sound.

I’m getting that tight throat sore lumpy feeling again. Come, Lord Jesus. And bring Your face to mine. Grace be with you, my friends.