Once everyone was there I had all my nieces and nephews go into the living room so that I could talk to them about my having lost all my hair. Their parents had already talked to them but I wanted to talk to them myself so that they would feel comfortable if I needed to take my bandanna off because I was too hot. I wore a Sponge Bob Square Pants bandanna just for them. After I explained why my hair fell out I asked them if they felt okay if I took off my bandanna. They were okay with that so I showed them what I looked like without hair. I let them touch my head and feel my wig that I bought earlier in the week. I also showed them how to put on the wig. A few of them thought I looked like Kristi. Kristi and I don't think we look all that much alike. After they looked at the wig they went back to playing or helping work. None of the kids seemed to pay any attention to my bald head after that. They all acted like it was perfectly normal.
Uncle Robert came from Idaho for the farewell. It was fun surprising him when I took my bandanna off and said "Look, we are twins." Actually he has a lot more hair than I do. We both had a good laugh. It is always good to see family that we don't get to see as often as we would like. We also had a great family home evening with Mom & Dad, Robert, Kristi's family, Katrina's family and my family. Shellie lives in Washington state approximately 30 minutes from Zions Camp where Mom and Dad will be serving.
Sunday was Mom & Dad's farewell. They had a lot of support from their ward, Temple Riders Association, former neighbors, and family. It was nice to see people that I haven't seen for many years. Sunday morning my son Shawn woke up with a migraine headache. Mariah ended up with one also. David gave them both a blessing a little while before we had to leave for the farewell. They both really wanted to go to their grandparent's farewell. I am very proud of both of them for making the sacrifice to go to farewell even when their head hurt. It was a wonderful meeting. Mom spoke first, then there was a beautiful musical number, then Dad spoke. After the meeting everyone went back to their house for cookies and punch. I took my quilt and many people signed it that wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I also had the chance to personally thank Kristi's mother-in-law, Joyce, who helped make the quilt. The one enjoyable thing about going to chemo tomorrow is that I am waiting to read the new messages until then.
It was hard to leave on Sunday evening. We took a picture of Mom & Dad with each of our individual families before we each went home.
I will miss them a lot but I know they are doing what they are suppose to do. I didn't cry until I hugged them then I cried most of the way home. It is going to be a long 23 months without them.
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