Courage

It comes in all forms. When I look up from my desk, I see a painting by a fine artist-- our own friend, Roger Merrill. He made it last winter while he was recovering from a bone marrow transplant in Salt Lake City. The design is meditative and abstract. The watercolors are perfectly layered and vibrant. What does it "mean?" Well, different things in different light at different times. But it always speaks of Roger's talent and courage.

Photo by C.M.

If you follow Roger and Candi's story on the Bone Marrow Boggie blog (there's a link on the Feathers and Flowers sidebar) then you know Roger is battling a recurrence of leukemia. We've learned how this disease is persistent and infuriating; the cure is complicated and painful. It steals away all the normal routine of life-- and the joy too, if you let it. So it's hard finding words that express our admiration for Candi and Roger as they've faced this ordeal with optimism and guts. Fighting cancer is a scrappy team effort, and a testimony to good marriage along with everything else.

They've just returned from another exhausting trip to SLC where Roger received a "allogenic transplant" of T-cells (from his brother) to help his immune system fight the cancer. I'm writing about this now so you can keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the months ahead. And when you're tempted to feel sorry for yourself, take a look at the faces of courage.

Roger
Photo by C.M.

Candi and "Sophie"
Photo by R.M.

And we'll be lifting glasses soon to celebrate Roger's recovery...