Winter Waxing Cold Moon
Next to last day in Denver. Last night Jon and Jen and I went to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse.
They have two young kids, Gabe and Ruth. Gabe got his hemophilia diagnosis not long after his birth a year and 8 months ago, so they have had to cope with it; never more so than in the middle of this year when he began experiencing spontaneous bleeds. This meant a port and every other day infusions of clotting factor, given by Jon and Jen at home. In addition, Jon’s shoulder, crushed in a skiing injury a few years ago, got worse and required shoulder replacement surgery.
This is a pretty high stress level for a young family and they have handled it with real grace. Tensions, of course. But they have remained positive and forward looking, not giving in to despair or hopelessness.
They have also raised Ruth into an exceptional three-year old, bright and funny and wise. Gabe’s a happy boy and really beginning to move around now after a slow start.
They needed some adult time and we got it. I told them how much I respected the way they had handled all they’ve had in their lives this past year. Worth every penny.
