A really quick update lest too much time pass without conveying yesterday’s good news. During the two o’clock hour on Saturday the Cinco de Mayo, Anastasia returned home! We realize that so much about her condition is beyond our control and understanding, but we are, without question, better prepared and trained to prevent a repeat of this past Tuesday night.
Before Anastasia’s return, we got a start on the summer here at Anastasia’s House: dad serviced the lawn mowers and rototiller; Biggest Brother gave the back yard it’s first mowing of the year, and Anastasia’s other brothers tried to stay out of the way of Biggest Brother and daddy. Later in the afternoon, after Anastasia returned home, daddy rototilled the garden twice more and Biggest Sister and mommy planted root crops (since that’s what the planting guide recommended) as well as some other items that had been growing in egg shells — more details on that later when daddy fully remembers what those were.
And, like after Anastasia’s last homecoming, the time has flown and the chance to sit and reflect on things has been minimal. Rather than going to Mass as a family we split into two shifts so Anastasia could stay home with adult supervision while daddy took the Middle Five to the almost-noon Solemn High Mass. It’s a good kind of busy though, the kind that means our family is all back home under one roof and life is back to as normal as the new normal is going to get.
Every update I write I try to find different words to express my family’s thanks for all of the help and love we’re received this past month. On this final Sunday before the Ascension I’m reminded of how, regardless of how we fail to measure up to His Divine example, Jesus never fails to extend to us His forgiveness and Grace if we will only be willing to re-commit to being His faithful servant. While it happens more often than I would like to admit I’m glad He doesn’t tire of renewing His love to me and in that spirit I implore, yet again, that He bless you abundantly for the help, prayer, and support you’ve given Anastasia’s family this past month. We have no idea how much longer we will have with her; may Jesus reward you a hundredfold or more for helping us spend as much time as possible with her.
With hope for a healthy summer,
Daddy and Mommy
And what would an update be without pictures?
Pacing herself, containing her excitement about returning home!
Biggest Brother mowing the lawn for his baby sister… not sure he realizes she’s more of an indoors enthusiast at the moment.
Anastasia can’t contain her excitement — mom is doing her best to maintain an even demeanor.
