On September 23rd 2021, Clint's mom Gerry had brain surgery. She wowed us all with her alert and happy response only an hour after it was over. What a miracle modern medicine is!
Earlier in the month while out on a hike with her sister Cherie, and daughter Tammy, Gerry tripped and fell and bumped her head. She was fine, but did sustain a minor concussion that seemed to be taking a toll on her, or so we thought.
After going back to the doctor to see about the concussion, the doctors found a tumor in Gerry's brain a form of cancer called glioblastoma. The fall on the hike seemed to be a tender mercy after all.
Just 4 weeks after her initial surgery and removal of the tumor, it had grown back with another one as well. We are not happy with this diagnosis, as there is not a chance of survival from this horrible cancer.
But, we as a family ultimately have faith in Heavenly Father's plan and know that there will be many lessons learned, and many silver linings to this heartache and trial.
We look for ways as a family to lighten the burden of Jim and Gerry...
Phone calls and visits and cards made by the grandchildren.
Cleaning the house, doing yard work, driving Gerry to her appointments...
Everyone in the family wants to love them and serve them with all of their heart, and it is so sweet.
One day after working together in the yard taking care of the fall clean up, everyone went to The Pie for pizza. It was also the weekend of Ginger's birthday. :)
(Here they are acting like angry unicorns.
I know.
It was from the birthday card that Clint gave Ginger. ;)
Also, on Halloween morning, Clint and I were able to attend the temple in Bountiful where we took part in the sealing of Jim to his parents.
It felt very safe, secure, and peaceful to be in the temple with Clint's family after everything that they have been experiencing.
I love the temple, the house of the Lord.
I also was able to give Gerry a nice haircut since her treatments have been making her hair get thinner. It will eventually fall out, and with the scar from her surgery, a nice little makeover really hit the spot for Gerry.
It made her feel good to have someone do her hair, and I know there is a direct link between how you look and how you feel. I think she looked pretty, and you couldn't even see her scar.
We also had an early Thanksgiving celebration with all of Clint's family.
My favorite part of the night was when Gerry wanted to read the children a Christmas story. Even though it was difficult for her to do, the children loved it and snuggled in close.
It was a tender moment.
Grandma and Grandpa also always help the grandkids make sugar cone Christmas trees, which they also did that night.
Many of these fun and meaningful traditions will help their legacy and memory live on even when they are no longer here.
Every day is a gift and we are so grateful to be sealed to our family so that we can be together forever.
Together we will make it through!
