Tag: Cancer

The Boys and Beowulf

On By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

We had a glorious time with our munchkins last week—nine whole days while mommy and daddy took a second honeymoon to Cabo, Mexico. We went to the pool, did tractor rides, visited a petting park, played at the playground, got ice cream, read stories, played in the toy room and backyard, went to church, and had a blast every single day. The best part was getting to do daily cuddles at nap time and bedtime. It’s a deep joy to just hold Samuel and Levi and watch them as they fall asleep. We created some treasured memories that will last a lifetime. The pics and clips below are just a few highlights of the many I could share.

In other news, my sister moved into our place earlier today. She was exhausted from the journey and is a bit weaker and thinner than I had expected. And getting the place ready was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be. I set around pictures and knick-knacks from the old days, along with dishes, plates, and other items from our time growing up in East Reading, PA. Featured prominently are some of my mother’s counted cross-stitch creations. Then there are the bowls of nonpareils, spearmint gummies, and Swedish fish that our Nana always had setting out during the year.

Cancer is a dragon, but love is the Beowulf that can slay it in the end. Rumor has it that eternity is an exuberant and sanctified mead hall. So, onward we go to the heavenly Heorot, one day at a time.

Addendum

The kids at our “Stellar” VBS got a kick out of tonight’s character, Luna. In large measure, that was because she has blue hair. More than one child encouraged to make my hair blue, too. What do you think?

Emmanuel

On By Tim ValentinoIn General4 Comments

So, where have I been lately? It’s been almost a month since I posted anything on This New Life. It’s not been for lack of desire, however. Life just happens sometimes. In this case, all the usual suspects are in play again. 

A growing church. An exegetical dissertation. A period of local and denominational leadership. A partial career shift, with its many attendant realignments. A slate of courses to teach, both at the local institute level and the master’s level for a university out of state. And a joyful, ongoing stint as “Papa” to the two most amazing little boys in the universe. 

There was also the attempted recovery from all the pain that accompanied our journey through Alzheimer’s Disease with my live-in mother-in-law. I say “attempted” because one never really recovers fully from such trauma; we simply learn to live into the new normal with divine resources to counter the lingering sadness. The stress is gone, but the numbness remains. Through it all, though, God is faithful to supply our emotional daily bread. Today is Lorena’s first birthday in heaven.

Finally, there’s another new normal we’ve been anticipating and now are preparing for. My younger sister, Ronni Sue, has advanced-stage cancer in several places throughout her body. Doctors give her about six more months to live. Only God knows the real time of our departure, but that’s the timeframe her care team has given.

For lots of different reasons, Ronni is going to move into “the granny flat” addition we built for my mother-in-law several years ago and finish out her journey with us. We’re grateful to have the means and opportunity to do so.

We’re not sure how the adventure will unfold, but we can say with utmost confidence, “Emmanuel,” God is with us. For those who pray, thanks in advance for lifting my sister before the throne of grace. She’s a believer in Christ. And despite her many challenges in life, she’s one of the kindest people I know.