Epilogue - "a section at the end of a book or play that serves as a conclusion to what has happened."

For some time, we have wanted to write a recap of all that has transpired since August, but it is definitely difficult to put into words. Much of the past several months seems both vivid and surreal. 

This week marks the twentieth week since the surgery, and both Jack and Julie are doing remarkable! Neither one experienced a single complication (like bile leaks, infections, hernias, etc) which is truly extraordinary. Both had their three month checkups in November, and MRIs revealed everything was in great shape and that both livers had nearly already regenerated to full size. We are deeply grateful to God for their healthy recoveries.

So where are we now? As I pondered recently what I would write in this final "epilogue", I confess that in my mind I was incorrectly using the word "prologue" instead. I knew something wasn't quite right, but the correct word did not come to my mind until this week. But, the realization occurred in the context of thinking about Jack's perspective - for him, this "conclusion" is more like a "prologue" that marks the beginning of his new lease on life. A few weeks ago, he called Julie early one morning and said, "Mom, I just got back from an eight mile bike ride! I never thought I could feel this good!"  A few days later, he went on a 20 mile bike ride. Jack is doing well!

He returned to UNC Chapel Hill this week to finish up his Computer Science degree, and is eager to finish school (target Dec '19) and get on with his new life. The night before he left for school, he put the Calvin and Hobbes comic shown above on Julie's bed (he knows how to get his momma to cry):

Calvin: Wow, it really snowed last night! Isn't it wonderful?
Hobbes: Everything familiar has disappeared! The world looks brand new!
Calvin: A new year... a fresh, clean start!
Hobbes: It's like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on!
Calvin: A day full of possibilities! It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy...let's go exploring!

Jack's fresh, clean start has begun. Julie and Jack are both healthy. We are all profoundly grateful to God and the hundreds who have reached out to us, gave to us, cooked for us and PRAYED for us during this season - THANK YOU!