With His Eye's Set

As the warming sun-rays ease-up over the morning horizon, they fall softly on Pop's bald head. He is walking out to get the paper, bright and early, just like every morning at the crack-of-dawn. His pace is a bit slower now, but to see him one would guess he has simply decided to shave his head. He doesn't appear to be battling a war within his body, and he walks talk and strong. This is the start of another day; a gift given to Pop.
After breakfast (if he can muscle something down), he heads out to the barn to start another project around the farm. "The one nice thing about a farm is that there is always some kind of maintenance needed to be done," Pop often says with a grin (much to Joel's dismay). He and Joel have been painting, and sprucing-up the buildings for upcoming fall wedding receptions in the barn. Also, since Pop has had some strength the past few weeks, the two of them finally replaced all the windows in the farmhouse. It is these projects that keep Pop looking forward to each day. The routine and purpose strengthen his spirit as he works with his hands. He will work for several hours at a time, then break to rest, or run to the bathroom to vomit. This is one of the nasty side-effects of going through chemotherapy again. The nausea this time around has continued to be difficult to control. Pills have been changed, and drugs administered at different times, but their effects have been nearly unrecognizable. Yet, Pop doesn't say a word. The doctors told him at the last visit, "You need to tell us when you can't handle anymore, or when you just don't feel well enough to continue." Pop smiled and nodded his head. "Let's keep fighting," was the only words he told the doctor.
To keep himself busy, Pop has also made it a priority to get to all the Donegal soccer games this year. Heading to games he bundles-up and grabs a ball-cap as he heads out the door. "I need to wear this thing (referring to the ball-cap), otherwise people think I'm sick," he laughs about later. Amazingly, it is somehow true. To look at Pop, he doesn't appear to be going through intense treatment to fight off an aggressive cancer. He looks like himself, with a bit less hair and a slower pace, but himself non-the-less. This is the miracle in it all! We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but the Lord has blessed us with another day. Pop is mobile and light-hearted, and grace has been poured out. With thanksgiving, we give all the glory back to the One who holds us all; Christ.
Re-imaging of the tumors, and tests of the cancer will not occur for several weeks yet. But, we lay down the anxiety, and the worry, that these tests can bring, knowing that there is One more infinitely wise who is in control. It is with his eye's set on Christ that Pop continues on.