Wednesday 19 December 2007: Sarah watches Marv play on his new playground like a kid in a candy store!

Sarah says:
Marv is the kid in the candy store! He's playing with his Ableton music software, his Midi keyboard and sound card and he can't get enough of it! I might never see him again now that's he's in his midlife-crisis! He hides downstairs in his little cave making music...More power to him if it makes him happy!

Later that night...

I just read something beautiful my sister-in law, who survived breast cancer, wrote on her blog about her aunt who passed away today after a very long battle with cancer. It's a moving text and made me think of Peter of course by the end of it. Cancer is such a monster! I am so sorry about all these sad passings of people full of life. Just another reminder to live each day and love with all your heart and let the people you love know it!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sylvia Easley, 9 Nov 1943 - 19 Dec 2007

My aunt Sylvia died this morning. She told her (grown) kids to go to school, asked for a drink of water, and took her last breath. She had end-stage pancreatic cancer and multiple myeloma, and she was at home, in a hospital bed in her living room.

We lived our lives at a great distance. Sylvia lived in Texas (San Antonio, Houston, Kerrville), ran a balloon delivery business, married a few men (not at the same time), and loved fiercely. She was the strongest and most indomitable person I ever knew. The way she lived with cancer taught me how to do it: You live. Just keep living. Keep doing things you want to do. If your bones are brittle, go to a water park and ride all the slides, and then take meds and sleep all the next day. If people you love are there, spend every ounce of your energy laughing with them, and then take meds and sleep all the next day. Don't be "sick" with cancer. It's an annoyance. It thinks it's in charge, so let it think so, but quietly go about your own business and don't let it stop you.

Until it's too strong. And then, recognize that you're tired, and lie back and marvel at the fresh, clean taste of cold water, and listen to songs that have always moved you, and wake up a few times a day to smile at the faces of the loving ones who surround you. Go home, and have your dog lie on the bed with you, and open the blinds each day to watch your own neighborhood and your own yard. Sleep, while your heart keeps beating and beating, while your nails turn dark and then pink again, while your breathing gets ragged and then smooth again.

And then, one morning, speak softly to your children, and just...Stop.

Heidi says: I am exhausted and feel sick and am ready to sleep. My cold isn't going away and my head feels like it's filled with slime, which probably is the case... I want rest and peace and a warm bed and TV...

I WROTE THIS BEFORE I READ THE TEXT ABOUT AUNT SYLVIA. I TAKE MINE BACK...