Milestones

There is nothing that makes me feel like I am in a time warp more than realizing that it has been 5 years today that Tim finished his radiation and chemo for throat cancer. Anyone living in the world of cancer knows that 5 years is the magic number to reach with no recurrences and reach it we have!

It was on Friday, March 13th, 2009 that Tim completed his 35th radiation treatment. It was a big day for him being that days before he questioned if he could even endure to the point of completion. But, endure he did!  Funny that back then we thought that was the bright spot – to be done with the treatments that caused so much distress. Little did we know then that it would get worse (for about 6 weeks) before it got better and then celebration seemed more appropriate.  

It was a glorious spring 5 years ago, in so many ways. That year the trees and flowers were nothing short of splendid. Each blossoming tree and nodding flower seems to be a call of renewal after the long winter. It seemed to coincide with the renewal of Tim's life after his own long winter. As nature came alive before our eyes, so did Tim.  

Spring 2009

My sister came from New York and was here for Tim's last day of treatment. In celebration she bought some pansies to plant to cheer our hearts. There is probably not a happier flower than a pansy with their bright patterned petals that look like faces!


Abigail and Annah 5 years ago! (Okay, so they are agonizing over these pictures!)

       

                          

Abigail and Annah with their dad in October 2013

Tim and I in June 2009 - our 24th wedding anniversary

Through this entire journey we have been greatly blessed. We have seen the hand of the Lord at each curve in the road. And on that road we have been surrounded by angels, both seen and unseen. The words of Jeffrey R. Holland say it well, 

"Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." 

Yes, we have had so many around us that fit that description and words fail to express what their presence has meant in our lives. We are grateful beyond words for the prayers, kindness, tenderness, caring, thoughtfulness and love that have accompanied and upheld when cancer called our name. Our hearts of full and so are our lives.

 We, in the in Valenta household, are looking forward to another splendid spring as we celebrate life and love, renewal and hope.

 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. 

Psalms 71:14