Blessings

I am sitting up late, waiting for Justin to finish a table game with some newfound friends here at the Lodge. It has been another amazing change, to watch Justin go from a very alone and quiet guy when he got here, to someone that is hanging out with the people closer to his age, playing cards with the older folks, and getting bored with the things he has been doing for many months. He is doing so much better than even last week!

Justin got a card in his mailbox from a little first grader with cars the boy had drawn..."hope you fel btr. do you lik my cars?" It was so cute! Every guest here got one from one of the kids in the class. This morning one of the volunteers left a little gift in all the mailboxes...a little charm to put on a zipper pull that says, "believe." Justin let me have it...it wasn't something he would use, but I love it. He got an early Valentine from a staff member, and a wonderful gift certificate for almost anyplace in the Iowa City area from friends Barb and Perry. He was very surprised and happy about that one and is trying to decide how to use it in the best way possible.

Justin will have radiation in the morning about 9:00, then we will head home for the weekend. No plans yet, but we will be glad to get home. It is nice to get a break and to get recharged for the upcoming week.