Jordan’s Journey

I haven’t written for awhile because I’ve been on the road all week. It was hard being away. Jordan is doing well. She got a little sick from the chemotherapy this time around, but we think we can remedy the problem by increasing the dose of antacid. She only missed two days of school, and she’s back to her familiar ways.

Somehow I missed the call. I didn’t notice until I set my phone on the desk and saw the alert flashing that I had a message. My day had been so long and tiresome I almost ignored it, but curiosity got the better of me and I dialed in to voicemail. It was Jordan.


“Dad, I snapped! All by myself. A real snap!”


Her voice oozed with pride. I sat back in my chair and listened to the message over and over, and I thought to myself, “Hot damn!” (more…)

The knot in my back throbbed. Even as I pressed it against the jet of water, the muscle was tight and unrelenting. I submerged my head to align the aching spot with the pulsing whirlpool blast. Underneath, I filtered out the world while the rhythm of the water beat against my eardrums. When my breath ran out, I floated toward the surface, opened my eyes and saw my son staring back at me, wearing swimmer’s goggles, his hair mussed and wet-plastered to his head. He mouthed something to me, but I couldn’t hear him.


“Huh?”


The lips flapped again and his toothy grin widened. The wake of the water jet rippled against the middle of my back, right at the spot where the knot spasmed. I was in no hurry to move again. I told Lucas I couldn’t hear him because of the water. Then he lifted his hand and poked his finger to his nose, laughing. I stretched my head from the surface just in time to hear him say, “you have a booger.” (more…)

She is an inspiration. I’ve scribbled a note to myself to remind me the next time I’m whining about a client. After a grueling day of chemo, she still manages to laugh out loud and practice her sense of fashion. Knock wood, she hasn’t been sick, though it is still early. When I got home, she cuddled with me and smiled with a grin as wide as the ocean. I cradled her, careful not to seem too concerned, and smiled back, humbled by my little girl. Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. (more…)