Life this past year has definitely had it’s highs and lows for each of us as a family. Reflecting back, we’ve spent so many months in isolation. And, we do it because it is the “right” thing to do, but that doesn’t take away the emotions and the feelings of loss and missing out.
No one has felt this more than Gabriel. And, frankly, quite often I think Chet and I have no concept how hard it has been on him. Gabriel has been such a trooper and just tolerated everything so well, we just don’t fully comprehend the hardship on him. He’s one tough kid, emotionally and physically.
But, there are just things that happen that give you an little insight into his mind and heart. And, well, this is just one of them.
Wow. All I can say is that it made me cry. And well, made Chet mushy too (don’t let him know I said that).
Our crawfish boil is an annual event with friends and family from all around. And, well, this year we just couldn’t do it. Gabe’s counts were too low, we were too financially strapped, and emotionally, we were just too drained. Little did we realize how much that annual event, which normally also has a bit of a birthday celebration for Gabriel built in, meant to Gabriel.
Honestly, quite often I’ve felt guilty that we have so often combined Gabe’s birthday with the Crawfish Boil. The timing each year just works out that way. But, it seems like it has been a good thing.
Gabe’s counts finally came back up. He went back to school yesterday. The bummer is that Friday we head back down to Oakland for a five day hospital admission. So, he’ll be out of school again for a few days.
That’s tough. He’s missing his class musical. He was going to get a part in it, but he’s missed so much school due to cancer that they had to give the part to another little boy. He’s been okay with it, but I know deep down it has to be disappointing. How can I take that away? I can’t. But, hopefully, the time out of school will get less and less. We’re all ready for that.
But, this past weekend, Gabriel, Rebeka and I got out for a nice 3 hour tour. No, we didn’t end up shipwrecked anywhere, even though we were close to water. But, we did get about 2.5 miles of hiking in and had a good time.
We hike on the Deadman Gulch trail in the Washoe Lake State Park. It was a whole lot of fun and I’m so grateful that we’re able to get out and do fun things together and not be stuck isolated at home.
Here’s Gabe looking out a big hole in a fallen tree at the trailhead.
Rebeka was anxious to get going and was impatient to get hiking.
Rebeka was beside herself to get into the water. See how white her shoes were. “Were” being the operative word – I failed to get an after photo.
Gabe enjoyed a water stop while waiting for his sister to catch up to us climbing the hill.
Not a bad view or a bad climb.
After taking a long and round about walk up to the lookout, this was the best picture I could get of the two of them. What is it about getting two siblings to look at you and smile at the same time?
Rebeka was super excited about her backpack. And she got many compliments on it from others while we were out on the hike. I think it’s just adorable.
And here was one of the final photo opportunities before the battery was spent. A great cut-out / exploratory mine out on the trail.
Stay tuned. Next hike T.B.D.
The Endless Evolution 
I’m very thankful that Mom and I were able to drive over for that Crawfish Boil. It was a very memorable event for me, too.
If you think getting them to smile together now is hard; just wait !! At about age 12 you can forget about it. Lol.