And sometimes you have to write. I need this chance to organize my thoughts into words to settle me a little. Or I might go crazy. My dad informed my mom this morning that it takes great effort to go truly crazy. I believe it may take just as much effort not to.
So what I would like to write about today are the parallels between my dad at this stage, and my nephew, Rivyn. The obvious themes of life and death seem to scream at us at every turn. I can't imagine struggling through this time with my parents without all the kids here to reaffirm what life is really about. But in particular to have this precious, remarkable little baby in the house---there are no words. You can't not smile when you look at that baby. We are all so sad, but then here is this adorable, sweet new person interjected into all of it. He is a lifeline. He reminds us simultaneously of what we have and what we will lose. We're all glad my dad got to meet him. We are all devastated that they will never know each other.
