About me and Ciaran ...

I get a lot of questions about how the two of us are doing ... so allow me this diversion.

We are surviving on the kindness of others ... we have become honorary members of the Bolger family and eat there quite regularly. Kathy is unbelievably generous and a great chef ... I think Ciaran secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) wishes this setup would continue.

Biff (our neighbour) has been providing regular delicacies from his organic butchery ... and has even made Ciaran his favourite .... alfredo sauce. Sharon (our neighbour) brought over Ciaran's favourite cake yesterday ... a butter pecan. Cousin Susan made a humongous pot of stew on the first weekend and I will have lunches for months to come. Jimmy and Susan treated me to a truly gourmet meal ...Chuck and Kim (and their daughter Maggie) have put together a week's worth of soups and chillies (and Maggie made peanut butter cookies. One of Ciaran's friends, Meaghan, had her mother put together a gourmet meal complete with ham & cheese bread, fruit salad, butter tarts (my favourite) and nanaimo bars. We lack for nothing in the food department ... we are well fuelled. Food is comfort for a reason .... and honestly ... it is a luxury not to have to think about whether Ciaran is getting proper nourishment. We are living high on the hog ... and we thank you.

Ciaran went back to school immediately ... insisted upon it. He has been my press secretary for the past 10 days and does an admirable job. Does it take a toll on him ... you betcha! But he has stepped up to the plate and knows that the flow of information is so important. The blog has taken a lot of the pressure off .. but he remains ready to do his part. God bless him ... he has been through so much in the past year. He has matured beyond his years and never complains. He has a few "moments" --- as have I --- but he is one strong young man!

And me ... well ... I'm doing what I need to do to keep the body in tact. The mind, of course, has a will of its own and sometimes we really don't have control over the direction it decides to take. My spirit is strong --- and stubborn and determined ---to do whatever is required to have my lad get to the other side of this. Don't underestimate the power of the spirit ... when the body is worn out and the mind is exhausted ... the spirit takes over!

This update is simply to let people know that we are okay ... we are positive ... and we are extremely grateful for all the concern, the love, and the support. The months ahead will be trying, but with your ongoing encouragement we (all three of us) will not only survive --- but thrive. Bless you all!