Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A time for Thanksgiving

Thursday marks a national holiday for all who call themselves American citizens. A national day of unity to give thanks to God for the bounty of harvest that we each reap as a direct result of the fortune of living our lives in the United States. And this year there is a much to be thankful for as a change in power at the top of the government has occurred in a peaceful and orderly manner. That may seem off base to many, especially in light of our current challenges; but we cannot imagine such an ordeal in a place like Zimbabwe or Georgia.
We would like to say ‘Thank you’ to a few special friends who have seen fit to be angels and conduits of God’s love and grace to us this year. This has not been a good year, and next year looms before our eyes; but we have been blessed and helped through trials both simple and small; as well as complex and overwhelming. Our neighbors continue to amaze us, not a one of them has gone unaffected by the economic downturn, and yet they freely offer all the help they can, they will come and pray with us, bring us brownies and even a turkey for our dinner on Thursday. Our personal hours are precious but they have volunteered hours so that the Research Foundation we envisaged is coming into existence. We are so grateful for your love and presence.
The Shaw University Football team played in the CIAA championship game on a bright shining day in early November. The game was played against the unbeaten Elizabeth City State University Vikings. And down on the Bears sideline was Evan with his Shaw Alumni friend, Willie Gary. But it was hard for Evan to decide who or what he was most thankful for: That the Bears won, that he got to high five all the players coming on and off the field, or that he made a brand new friend in Mr. Gary’s Godson. What an awesome day.
Thank you needs to be shared with Pastor Bill. It would be so easy to smother a child with love at church. It would be so easy to ‘show’ how much God loves you by singling out the little boy for attention and pity. It takes a stronger more discerning spiritual leader to recognize that normalcy held in a sanctuary may be the greatest form of support a church can provide.
We give thanks for Doctors who work so hard, and the results of the latest MRI scans. The MRI was to determine that the mass could be tracked independent of the surrounding tissue, and that there had been no metastases to other parts of his body or brain. Both prayers were answered. The MRI defined the mass and bench lined some questionable areas, and it showed no distant metastases.
And we thank God every day for the love and prayers for all of us being offered from New York to San Diego, from England to Israel and from New Zealand to Brazil. And we will ask for special prayers this Saturday, 4 pm EST (-5:00 GMT) when we have a Service of Healing at our church Holy Cross Lutheran in Clayton (2920 NC Hwy 42 W, Clayton, NC 27520) This is being done in anticipation of the treatment plan being put into place starting December 1. On that Monday, Evan will have a central line catheter surgically implanted under his skin for easier access for delivery of chemotherapy which will start on Wednesday.
It would not be right to share thanks to the key people if we did not mention the teachers, staff and administrators at Wake Christian Academy, Evan’s school. Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Sauls are taking Evan’s academic challenges in stride. Mom, Dad, Teacher and Principal sat down and worked out a plan of action for Evan to stay on top of his work, in touch with is class and on track for his future. In a similar manner Dad spoke to Evan’s class and helped answer the amazingly insightful questions about what was happening to their classmate, and what was yet to come.
And lastly but not least on our short naming of a long list of those we love; are Morgan Butzow, Evan’s piano teacher; and Dave Cawthorn, John Biro, Tim Cattrell, Rick Beare and Blake Ball - these men are closely associated with Pack 24 of the Cub Scouts in Clayton. These two away from school activities are the highlights and focus of many enjoyable moments not at home and not at school.
Happy Thanksgiving, and please enjoy this clip from Evan’s piano recital November 22, 2008 at Meredith College in Raleigh. Oh the joys of belting out your favorite tune on a 9 foot Steinway.



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Buddy, you did such a good job at your piano recital. I wish i could have been there to see it live! I hope everything goes well tomorrow. I will be thinking about you and praying for you a lot this week. I love you so much and missed you on thanksgiving. Hope to hear from you soon. All my love,
Monkey

Anonymous said...

Hi Evan! I just wanted to let you know that I've been thinking about you & sending up lots of prayers for you. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kendra