Hands All Around

Dear Family and Friends,

                Curt was able to leave the hospital last week and we were very thankful. The transplant was a brutal process and it really is hard to describe how difficult it was. His cells have begun the engraftment process and his immune system is being rebuilt. He is very weak and fatigued and continues to battle through nausea, gastro issues, and problems with low blood pressure. He is happy to sleep on the swings on our front and back porch and enjoy the beauty and fresh air. He does not take small pleasures for granted.

                There is a beautiful story behind the picture of the quilt that is posted. Fred and Bonnie Russell and their three wonderful daughters were clients of ours for many years. Fred and Bonnie are also ski instructors at Mt. Hood Meadows. Every winter, Curt would meet up with them at a teacher orientation on the mountain.

                I had a very difficult week and a package arrived in the mail. I opened it and enclosed was the most beautiful quilt, made by Bonnie and her two daughters Anna and Becky. Anna lives in Alabama and Becky and Bonnie live in Oregon. For nine months they had worked on this quilt for Curt. The star blocks are called “Hands All Around” and the fabric has embossed snowflakes, fabric with trees and glitter to resemble snow. At the very top are snowboarders embossed into the fabric. They prayed and stitched and worked together to create this incredible gift. The pictures do not do it justice. We felt surrounded by love and continue to be blessed every day for what they did for us.

                This is an example of the Kingdom of God coming to us through people. The prayers support, financial help, medical staff, and caring words are carrying us through. We feel the love. Thank you.

Love,

Jenny