Chin Up

Is it true that we must always have our chins up? That we must always be as positive as can be in the most difficult of times? I'm saying here and now that no, we do not have to always be positive. We are entitled to times of doubt, times of weakness, and times of fear. But yes, overall, we must have hope in our hearts or it's not worth the fight at all!

In Rememberance

goofy papaw at bailey's bday party in 2008

Well 2012 doesn't seem to be lightening its burden on the Polen/McGarvey clan anytime soon.  After spending a day in Lebanon to celebrate Christopher's grandma's 95th birthday, my family received news the my papaw Darrell had taken a turn for the worse.  He has been courageously fighting leukemia (SLL/CLL) since last Memorial Day, but an infection had gotten into his bloodstream and with such a weak immune system from the treatment, this time things never got better as hoped.  My parents and brother came in to town from Michigan, Brittany from Indy, and our entire family was able to be at the hospital to say goodbye and I love you.  It was an emotionally draining day, and a physically exhausting day, but I am grateful my entire family was able to be there to support one another.

My mom is such a trooper.  She is so strong and such a rock.  Despite being sore from a bone marrow biopsy the day before, she was there all day on Saturday supporting her dad and her family through this horrible process. 

Cancer is no friend of our family, and seems to have had a death grip on us since 2004.  I can only dream of a day where its destructive nature no longer follows us wherever we go. 

Almost a month...

It's been almost a month since my last post, and lots has happened in that time!  I spent a week on Seabrook Island in South Carolina with Christopher's family, a week on Lake Cumberland with my family (plus Mr. Groh), and I've been wrapping up Summer Work in preparation for a busy busy August.

Vacation was incredible.  Getting to know the Groh family more was really fun, I love getting to spend time with them and learning about their family.  I feel like it helps me understand Christopher in a way that can't be explained in words.  I loved having him in my favorite place...the boat.  It was so fun to share that with someone that I love, as I had never brought anyone to the boat with me before.  It was fun watching him mesh with my family, and watching my family fall in love with him just like I have.

It was an amazing two weeks away from the stress and the busyness of life right now.  Coming back has been hard...back to work, figuring out scheduling, doctors appointments for my mama, and navigating having a boyfriend moving 16 hours away.  Life feels chaotic and hard, but I know that we will all walk out the other end of all this a stronger family.

Check out fb for more vaca pictures :)