The Adventure Continues

Today is theme day, and we have been asked to pick our favorite picture that we posted in 2006. For me it is certainly this picture of the Dobies I posted back on 11/5. It is not just the picture, but what it represents for me.

Our world changed radically in 2006. In August of 2005, my Mom developed Breast Cancer, and began aggressive treatments. It seemed to be going well, and they embarked on building a new home in Delta. In March of 2006 all of that changed. The home was about 2/3 done, and it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her brain. We found out on a Friday night, and by Sunday evening, we had packed up everything we thought we would need into our motorhome, and headed west. I told my manager that we needed to go, and she said, “Yes you do, we will figure it out”. As a side note, AOL gets a lot of grief in the press & public, but I am here to tell you, as an employee, they have stood behind when things got tough, and I am very grateful to my management chain for allowing me to work remote from Delta.

We got here the first Wednesday in April, never having done anything before except drive through the town. We parked our motorhome on the building site, a bluff overlooking a valley full of cows, with the Dobies as the backdrop. The 11/9 post will give you an idea of where we were “camped”. We settled in, and began to oversee the final construction while my Dad focused on the ever increasing treatments, and the heavy toll it was taking on Mom. Our goal was to get Mom into her new house in time for her to enjoy it. We held out hope, but really knew it was only a matter of time. My brother & sister made frequent visits to help out, and we found ourselves in Grand Junction on a regular basis. There were a couple of other scares along the way, and we found ourselves with both Mom and Dad having emergency room visits on the same day, and another day where I needed to get Dad into surgery, then take Mom to Chemo, then take Mom to visit Dad in recovery. All this time, my wife Patrice & I were living in the motorhome with 5 of our 6 kids. To make room, my son Tim lived in a 2 man tent for1-2 months next to the motorhome.

The final building progress was slow, but we eventually got Mom into her home in late May. In June we had the first party, a surprise birthday party for Mom. Over 50 people showed. Later in June we had an armed robbery, but they caught the guy a few days later. As the summer wore on, I was given permission to make our move permanent, and we drove back to Virginia to pack up all our things. After that, my boys & I did 10 days of backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch. In the middle of all this, for reasons I still can not explain, I decided to start Delta Daily Photo. The comments from all of you brought a great deal of encouragement as well.

Life was hectic, and Mom grew weaker each day. She went from walking on her own, to a walker, to a wheel chair in a matter of weeks. Another incredible friend came here for a week just to help. He built a wheel chair ramp, helped with the daily duties that needed to be done, and sat with Mom, showing her pictures. The back porch got a lot of use each day as we collapsed from all the events of the day. The view of the Dobies was soothing.

On October 8^th, the cancer took its final toll, and Mom went to be with the Lord. My post that day says it all. We scattered Moms ashes in the high country to the south, and 11/2 will give you an idea about that area. Very special friends helped us get everyone into this wonderful place so late in the season. Thanksgiving and Christmas were different without Mom.

Through all of this turmoil, God provided exactly what we needed to get through it all. We were here only a couple of days before we made what will undoubtedly be life long friends. Our kids were welcomed into a very active youth group at our new church home, and the community reached out in many ways. When Mom died, they stepped up again. At Mom’s memorial service down in Ouray, the worship leader & husband of our new church came and lead the worship. Our pastor ran a video camera, and other friends from Delta came and supported us. Friends from the Denver and Colorado Springs also came to assist with the service, sing, and offer comfort. One friend loaned us a 2^nd refrigerator to handle all the food that was brought over during this period. We will be forever grateful to all of you. God knew what we were going through, and provided exactly what we needed.

In late October, I was driving past the hospital where so many radiation treatments were done on Mom, and I noticed that the sun was low, and the Dobies were putting on a special fall show. The Dobies seem to be ever present for us in 2006, never failing to put on a show. They are one of the identifying things for us in 2006.

We are now living with my Dad, trying to figure out what the next steps will be. Delta has become home to us, and we are looking to give back to this wonderful community. Our home in Virginia is on the market, and once it sells, we will put our plans into action. God’s grace and provisions supported us in 2006, and I have no doubt that the plan for 2007 is simply wonderful.

Let the adventure begin!

Please visit other Theme Day entries:

Porto (Portugal) -Albuquerque, NM (USA) -St. Paul, (USA) Kate -Greenville,SC (USA) -Stayton, OR (USA) -Szentes (Hungary) -Hyde (UK) -London (UK) -Dubai (UAE) -Buenos Aires (Argentina) -Shanghai (China) -Nelson (New Zealand) -Twin Cities, MN (USA) -Joplin MO (USA) -Stavanger (Norway) -Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -Not Strictly Seattle, WA (USA) -Jakarta (Indonesia) -Auckland (New Zealand) -Sharon, CT (USA) -Evry (France) -(Aust) John -Newcastle upon Tyne (England) -Paris (France) -Bandung (Indonesia) -Brussels (Belgium) -Minneapolis MN (USA) -Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) -Seattle, WA (USA) -Budapest (Hungary) -Singapore by Zannnie (Singapore) -Tenerife (Spain) -Santa Clara, CA (USA) -Houston, TX (USA) -Sydney by Nathalie (Aust) -San Diego, CA (USA) -Vancouver, BC (Canada) -Singapore by KeropokMan (Singapore) -East Lansing, MI (USA) -Sydney by Sally (Australia) -Tucson, AZ (USA) -Nottingham (UK) -Sequim, by Norma -Hong Kong -Vantaa, Finland -Kyoto (Japan) -Tokyo (Japan) -Chattanooga -Santiago (Chile) -erlin (Germany) -Trondheim (Norway) -Delta, CO (USA) -