"If you do not raise your eyes, you will think that you are the highest point." ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin

Today I mailed three blankets out.Seems as though The Heart Blanket Project is reaching all corners of our country.Which is very,very cool.I sent one to darling Ashlyn awhile ago.Is she not the cutest?These three blankets are ear marked for three other chromosomally enhanced beauties,all fighting leukemia.I was contacted awhile back by someone who follows Zoey's journey and has supported us along the way and she asked if I would consider sending one out to her friends little boy.Well,of course I would send one out.It was the least I could do.He is four I believe,his name is John and he is fighting AML.He lives in Georgia and I sure hope he likes the little bug blanket.The next goes to a little baby,her name is Colleen and she is only 8 months old and another amazing blogging friend emailed me to bring her story to my attention.She is newly diagnosed with AML and like Zoey she was born with TMD.Her family has a caringbridge site and let me tell you,this child is so darling and her family is facing this new journey with such optimism with their faith being their guide.And of course Colleen too because like with all of these children, they seem to be our ultimate compass.I thought a blanket might be just what she needed so Matt and I whipped up a ladybug one for her yesterday.The last one is for our sweet buddy Kristen.Yesterday she began chemo,AGAIN, and I feel so absolutely helpless and the only thing I could think of was to send her out a blanket.I wish I could do more.So much more.I did give her mom an idea though,for those great little rubber bracelets and she is having them made and will mail me a bunch.I thought maybe,if anyone is interested I would sent them to you,at no cost,to join in solidarity for Kristen and the battle she is waging for the 4th time.Their mantra to see them through this latest journey and what will be printed on the bracelets is"Hoping for Another Miracle".When I get them I will let you know.In the mean time if you could send Kristen and all these other little warriors and their families all your prayers and good vibes.I know they would greatly appreciate it.Speaking from experience,the knowledge that others were praying and sending strength our way,in the moments we felt we were unable and were simply depleted,really sustained us during the hardest of times.

As for the home front here.All is well.Everyone just plugging along.Joe has come down with a nasty something or another.Brought him in the other day to rule out both the flu strains.It was neither.The importance of that is because if it had been positive for the garden variety flu or H1N1, Zoey would have to go on Tamiflu ... immediately.So for now just a cold floating around here and it seems that Zoey has indeed picked it up.Hopefully she can kick it quick and not remain down for too long and become opportunistic to something bigger.Jess is on her way to San Diego to visit little Charlie.I am very jealous of course.I will get my hands on that baby at Thanksgiving though.Which,by the way is right around the corner.As is Christmas.Which is incredible really.I think back to last year and it is a complete blur.I have been going back each day and re-reading posts from this time last year.Like today,the 12th,the day we meet Madison and didn't know,that evening,that we had a connection already, outside the hospital walls.It has been very healing.I have smiled through most of the posts as I continue to be in awe of Zoey's strength, despite the seemingly insurmountable task placed before her.As well as the strength of my family and sometimes even myself.I really,really am amazed that when the scary reality of cancer hit that I didn't fold and give in and give up.I did in fact dig deep.Deeper then I knew I could and I found strength I didn't have any idea I possessed.Sure, we had been through a lot with Zoey already but this was different.Scary,bring you to your knees different.I have also been humbled, once again, by the comments I have re-read and really,the fog I was in then,left me with no memory of most of them.However,in the re-visiting I am able to appreciate and be filled with such gratitude at the people and families that remained with us for the long haul.Those who have rode out the storm with us.The highs and the lows and have been unwavering in their support,regardless of what I have put out there.I have the opportunity once again,today, to extent my heartfelt thanks for loving us unconditionally and for believing in Zoey and her ability to overcome.We have also made new friends along the way and that has been only one of the many blessing of this journey we have traveled.Well,little love is waking... coughing.Which can't be good.More of the happenings around here to follow later ...