My Brother and I

I mentioned in the last entry that I got to go see my brother. I am so happy about that, because I had really wanted to do so, but did not think it would happen. He is 17 hours of driving time away, in Quincy, Illinois. There seemed no way to squeeze in that type of trip in between my treatments (which were two weeks apart). I truly believe someone prayed about that for me, because the odds of me coming across the 97.00 round trip fare are just too slim!

Annaleigh and I went from the 17th-22nd, and had a great time. My sister-in-law, who has always been a good friend, did a great job celebrating Annaleigh's birthday by getting little angel food cakes, buying her a couple of neat gifts, and taking her to a place called "Going Bonkers". It is a place exclusively for kids of all ages...mesh climbing tunnels, ladders, slides, bouncing areas, and a swing. I at first let Annaleigh go up by herself, and I think she was a bit lonely...she went to one area and bounced a while, then came back down. I decided it was time to take cancer-lessons in hand, and I donned my turban and went and played! We had a fantastic time, despite the bruised knees! One memory in particular is laughing with Annaleigh as we played with (and fell off) the swing. We both busted out laughing. It was special comradre!

The time with my brother was also very good. It was the first time I had gotten to talk to him since his cochlear implant, meaning that for the past several years, communication--in person, during our visits--had been mostly impaired. It was so neat to just be able to be heard by him! Great technology!

My brother and I also did 2 things: we took a 45 minute motorcylce ride to Hannibal, MO, which was just plain fun! It smelled good...country pastures and all...and felt great with the wind blowing through my...um...helmet. I actually decided being bald on the back of bike is the way to go...no little wisps of hair beating your eyeballs to death!

We also...my bald brother and I...got our twin pictures taken. I called the photographer the day before and told her what I was doing. She was right on board, totally not disturbed at the idea of photographing a bald woman and her brother! She got some great shots, with Annaleigh in some of them, and I hugged her when we left. The funny thing: when I got home, I realized that our package deal included a 10x13...that is a lot of bald!

I also got to see my niece and nephew. Kelsey we helped move to her dorm; Dane was home after his summer job. Both are great young people, and my nephew...who was a baby when I was in college...picked me up from the airport. It was great to see them and I am proud of who they are!

I am so grateful Annaleigh and I got to go. It felt right...to embrace family during this time.