"Mom! Look ... I was bad and I still got presents!" Yep..that was his opening line on Christmas morning. He was up at 6am and ready to dig in. It was wonderful. We sat by the tree as a family and LIVED every moment of Christmas morning. Zack got many gifts from Santa, family and friends ...yet the greatest gift of all is his health. Reflecting back on 2008, I realize that time is precious. This year went by quickly, despite the chemo, clinic appointments, weekly therapy sessions and a few hospital stays. It still seems like October of 2010 (Zack's last month of chemo) is still so far away. We have been blessed with an amazing support system through this journey. Zack is blessed with wonderful grandparents who will do ANYTHING for him. Both grandmas take time away from work and sacrifice many things to help him get to appointments or stay home with him when Rob and I have to work. His Aunt Paula, Uncle Pat and Cousin Gabi (even though she is a source of frustration for him at times) are always there to run out to dinner or play and spend time with him upon his demand. His Uncle Jeff and Aunt Carrie who run out with us to Disney when Zack wants. As I really think through who has helped us in this desperate time of need ... it has been our family mentioned above and others who were friends or complete strangers before Zack was diagnosed. Our friends are important to us. They are part of our healing. They try really hard to empathize and understand. They put up with Zack when he is emotional and having serious mood swings (thank you Chase, Gabi and Matthew). They call and check in on clinic days. They realize the load we carry as working parents getting a child through cancer treatment. They do what they can to alleviate and make our lives feel "normal". We don't need sympathy or people to feel bad for us ... we need real friends .. who love us unconditionally, even on our bad days. Thank you mom and dad ...Paula, Pat and Gabi ... Grandma Lil and special friends. Thank you to our extended family from the Children’s Cancer Center. I pray for all of our friends that constantly lift us up in prayer. That is what we need. You all have made our 2008 a year of blessings. Thank you ... I wish you all a wonderful New Year. Trusting God with all my heart .. Tina
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