This week we learned that my sister has bile duct cancer with no viable treatment options. As we struggle to understand and inhabit this new reality, I offer two kinds of appreciations: everyday appreciations and appreciation for all the beauty and joy I can find in the time we have left with Jeni.💖

Everyday Appreciations
TWO year roomieversary with Sarah and Ida. What a tremendous gift it is to live with them. So much love and laughter and wonderfulness. 😁

Ida’s new dance moves. Super fancy stuff, I tell ya!

Beautiful bugs.

Our old lady chickens who continue to provide us with eggs and delight.

Our “baby” chickens who are delightful in their own ways… and one of whom has laid her first egg!

Teeny tiny pullet eggs!

Special Appreciations
The blanket of love and support surrounding me and my family. Always there, but felt and appreciated so deeply right now.

Beautiful flowers from Terri & Ellis’ garden…delivered with Ruby hugs.

Mom & Dad’s fierce loyalty and steadfast support of not only Jeni, but of all of us kids. Plus the bazillion hours they’ve spent at the hospital this week talking to docs, keeping Jeni comfortable, and making the best of a crummy situation. They are the absolute best.

Gifti (Jeni’s group home manager) who has spent countless hours at the hospital and helped us get Jeni set up with all the docs & services she needs. Her love for Jeni, knowledge of this process, and her unbelievable generosity have made this so much better for us all.💚

Heidi, whose visit delighted both Jeni and me, and who volunteered to stay to help Jeni navigate her room change so my folks and I could go home and get some rest. We are so lucky to have her in our lives! 💜

Sharon, the fantastic hospital social worker, who takes such great care to understand Jeni and meet her where she is. She brought Jeni a new monkey friend for her faithful doggy companion, Marley. Jeni immediately accepted the new addition to the family, christening her with a kiss and a liberal application of lip balm. 😁 Her name is Sandra Jr.

MY new faithful companion (a chicken!) that T & E bought for me before they even knew about Jeni. Talk about perfect timing! Her name is Molly Jr.

Jeni’s decisiveness and spunk! She knows exactly what she wants and what she doesn’t — and does an excellent job of letting us know. I LOVE that about her! She happily accepted the word find book I brought her, but sent the smiley stickers back home with me. 😉 Yesterday I brought her some were also coupons and ads from the paper. These were also acceptable. 🤣

Loving hugs and texts and cards and calls from my beautiful friends. I appreciate you all so much! 💙💛🧡💚💜❤️