I mentioned at the beginning of this journey my commitment to sharing our experiences openly, especially given the immense love and support we've received from both our local and global community. We are profoundly grateful.

The reality of the disease and its effects on Carol’s capacities have grown significantly. Her total dependency, pain, struggles, and moments of joy have intensified daily as she approaches the end of this stage of life and the beginning of a new one. In this context, our three children on the West Coast (Aaron, Gretchen, and Jon Marc) joined Fuxia and me for much of the last week and Mothers Day weekend. Their presence provided much-needed physical support, and each one was able to connect with their mother, not through visual recognition, but certainly in spirit. Needless to say, there were a lot of tears and laughter, storytelling, worship, and prayer.

We had an amazing time together processing various issues, aligning on decisions that needed to be made, and navigating the way forward for the coming weeks. Since the kids returned to the West Coast and to their families, Carol has been in and out of sleep for about 20-22 hours a day. She is resting comfortably in her hospital bed, and in addition to our care, she has regular visits from hospice nurses and caregivers.

It is disorienting to mourn when the focus of your love is still alive; it’s a jarring experience. However, we take solace in God's felt presence and comfort in our brief moments of connection, as well as in the prayers and support of all our dear friends and family. We appreciate all of you.

Love,

David & Fuxia