"I don't know what the future's going to be like, but I know it's going to be awesome!"

There are several pictures that I have taken over the past few weeks and months that looked so poignant, so special, I just couldn't bring myself to share them at the time. I wanted to save them.  I wasn't sure why, but I knew they were important. 

Rowan and I were talking just now, about it being day -4, about how many days of chemo had left, how much longer we'd be in the hospital, and how much longer we'd be in Seattle.  He got the sweetest grin on his face and started staring out the window.  

I could tell he was deep in thought, so I asked him what he was thinking.  He said, "I'm so glad we took this chance.  I have a good feeling about it.  I don't know what the future's going to be like, but I know it's going to be awesome! And even if it's that I go to heaven, it was still worth a shot. And what's more awesome than heaven?"

That's when it hit me.  None of us know when we will go.  Most of us try not to think about it.  But Rowan is different.  Don't get me wrong, Rowan absolutely, 100% loves his life, and he loves living it to the fullest.  He doesn't want it to end, but he trusts God so much, that he's not afraid for it to.  He lives each day like that.  He fights so hard, but he never worries.  He trusts.  He simply trusts. He knows that whatever the future holds, whether it's here or in heaven, "it's going to be awesome!"

Either way... he has a lot to look forward to.  And then I realized, that is what those pictures I was saving were for.  They were for this post.  All were depicting him on a path.  Going down the road on his bike, walking down the path at the park, or sailing across the water on the ferry, looking forward...not a worry in the world, because he knows, he trusts...that whatever lies ahead is going to be awesome! No matter what.

I wish we all could have that sense of faith.

  It provides him with so much...

security...

peace...

and hope...

and it's awesome!

Double Digits..."I think 10 is gonna be a really good year for me!"

With all the craziness of getting admitted, starting chemo, preparing for transplant etc., I haven't had time to post pictures from Rowan's 10th birthday.  With all the appointments, tests, Zoe's travel issues, and Rowan's line surgery, we had to split it into 2 parts.  Here are pictures from GB Pt1 and GB Pt2.  (GB= Ginger Birthday:) We did our best to make it special, and many of you helped with that.  Despite all that he has going on, I'd say Rowan thoroughly enjoyed his birthday celebrations. He even told us, "I think 10 is gonna be a really good year for me!"

It started at midnight...with his first 10 year old picture!

Then we played a game of Yahtzee together...

Of course I had to take a first morning as a 10 year old picture or two...

(before he woke up:)

(waking up with a smile:)

Then Rowan and I headed to the hospital, so he could sign himself up for an immunology study.  He assented to it all by himself, and is excited that he could be a part of ore research that could help others.

Next, a hematology appointment, where they even had a huge bag of presents for him...

(his favorite part was the stuffed panda:)

We picked up Dad and Ian and headed to lunch at one of Rowan's new favorite Seattle restaurants, Eureka!

Zoe finally made it in from Austin, after nearly 24 hours of travel due to airline issues.

And we all headed to Pike Place Market for flowers, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Next we took the ferry to Bremerton, to visit some of our very best friends.  Everyone blew bubbles on the ferry this time.

Rowan had to get up early for his line surgery, so he went to bed with his panda...

woke up with his panda... and brought it with him to the hospital, back in Seattle...

After surgery number 81 and some complications that delayed his getting discharged, we headed back to Bremerton to join the family and our friends again.

Rowan opened lots of amazing presents and cards!!!

 

Then we headed outside for a game of croquet before dark.  You would never have known this little boy had surgery earlier in the day.  He was just so happy to be outside with people he loves, having a blast.  Even if it was his last night outside of a hospital for a very long time...he was happy to enjoy it while he could.  We all were.

 

After a wonderful dinner and dessert, we just hung out, laughed a lot, and played a rousing round of heads up.  I don't think there's anywhere else Rowan would have wanted to be for this birthday.  Bremerton and The Mefford's home are his happy place while he's here for all his medical visits and treatments. 

In the morning, we gave our goodbye hugs, before heading out to pack for the hospital admission later that day.

Thank you Lance, Jessica and Bradley for the always beautiful, always memorable hospitality!

Thank you to each and every person who sent Rowan a birthday card or present.  You truly made him feel special.  If you don't see your gift pictured here, do not worry.  Some are still trickling in from the mail now, some he saved for opening while he is here in the hospital, and we thank you.  They continue to make him smile.  He certainly knows he is loved!  God bless you all.

And Rowan, Happy 10th Birthday.  I hope and pray with you that 10 is a really, REALLY good year for you!