I painted houses during 7 summers of high school and college. The many long, hot days spent with my painting buddy over the years was a great way to get psychological help. Painter and I grew to know each other’s lives very well and we helped each other try to make sense of it all. When I met this awesome girl at college, I described to Painter that when we went out to eat, she ate all the food on her plate unlike other female friends I spent time with. Now as a growing young man, I kind of counted on this extra food and that concerned me. Painter, in his infinite wisdom, dubbed her “Moose” because she ate like a large animal, and being from Minnesota, it had to be a moose. To this day, Tara is called Moose by many of my family and friends.
It is awesome that Tara loves to eat. A good steak, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, salad, home made bread. It is truly a common interest of ours. But things are different for the time being and food doesn’t taste so good to her any more. We are tying to find things that do. She knows it will come in time.
The Bible speaks of food numerous times. For those who cannot buy food, He says to come, buy and eat and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. We are also told that we do not live on food alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. We are told that the Corinthian church ate and drank from the spiritual rock, that is Christ.
Tara is sustained by the word of God. She is delighting in the richest of fare. She is eating and drinking from the spiritual Rock. Until her appetite resumes, we will have to go out to eat a different way, and again, I know she will clean her plate.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
I loved what you shared tonight. I had just come home from a 2 hour class for work and was eating dinner in front of the computer while checking my e-mail. Eating dinner at 9 pm is not my idea of a good time but I knew if I didn’t eat, I’d be awake at 2 AM or not fall asleep because I was starved. There are times when I have woke up at 2 AM to pray, because the Spirit woke me and that is fine. I prefer it over hunger pains. Whenever God wakes me, He more than makes up the sleep I lose. I always seem to have more energy that day. If Tara likes chocolate, try milkshakes. She’ll get liquids and nutrition – calories. I know that chemo can play havoc with appetite, so if she craves something, get it for her. Just be prepared to finish it. If it’s a shake, stick it in the fridge and she can finish it later. Be creative. Chocolate dipped strawberries and real whipped cream are one of my favorites. The more calories she can get in her body, the better she will feel. I will pray that her appetite returns soon and her body heals quicker than the doctors think that it will. Loving you both in Christ,
Dawn
Continuing to pray for you and your family. The basketball girls were really excited to show Esther and your family support with turquoise headbands and bracelets.
sounds to me like i need to go get some bananas & make some banana bread for sunday.call anytime you guys need anything —we are here to help.Can’t wait for spring so we can fire up the grill.pork loin comes to mind for some reason.
Such a good reminder that the Word is where we should truly receive our sustenance. Another lesson I’ve learned while traveling this journey with you. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Dear Princess Tiger Lilly,
Everyone in Never Neverland including Peter Pan and his family are praying for you.
If only I had a little bit of pixy dust to sprinkle down and cure your cancer or send a crocodile to chase it away.
What a blessing you and Jay are to all who are following you on your journey. As your body weakens your faith gets even stronger, which strengthens our faith. Jill and I have been challenged by cancer. It is a sleeping giant that changes your life forever, but it brings blessings too.
Tara, may you and your family be surrounded by an army of angels. They will dry your tears and and hold your hand when you are fearful. God will send special blessings to your caregivers, God’s earth angels.
Chocolate hugs and kisses, Jane Wolverton
Amen. It’s kind of like forced fasting during this period while God nourishes your soul Tara. You are continually in my thoughts…it’s unreal. Praying continually throughout the day for you. In my kitchen, where us moms seem to spend the most time, I prayed for your body to be sustained by the nourishment of your soul. You are in the best of healing hands. (God’s!) People all over lifting you up, asking about you. I pray you are encouraged each day right when you need it most. You are worshipping Him with your everything. Saw Esther and Micalyn last night briefly- beautiful young women who are radiant like their mommy!!! I remember telling you how much I enjoyed Micalyn in small group a couple years ago and you said how much fun she is! A delightful young woman!
Your strength and endurance amaze us! … yes, we know that is the strength of the Lord filling your lives to overflowing and how thankful we are that He is your Rock, your Fortress, a very Help in time of trouble! We continue to trust and believe for Tara’s total and complete healing and are blessed and encouraged each day as we read this blog! Jay, you are an incredible writer! Thank you for sharing with us. Love to each one of you in your household and to our dear friends, Nan and Larry too!!
looking forward to taking you out to buffet, girl! 🙂
Dear Ones, As I read your blog this morning, it reminded me of many years ago…Like you, food didn’t taste very good. For some reason the only thing that seemed delicious to me was mashed potatoes…. (maybe it brought back memories of my gramma who loved and fed me mashed potatoes and homemade bread regularly) Recently a friend receiving chemo called and was struggling with eating. I told her I had the remedy and I would be out in an hour! I arrived on her doorstep with a large bowl of mashed potatoes and two spoons. We laughed as we “chowed” down together. It seemed to do the trick! Wish I was close enough to arrive on your doorstep with a bowl and two spoons! Give it a try! I think they call it comfort food! Loving you, Aunt Barb
Tara and Jay, when I was in the midst of chemo and hadn’t been able to eat, a young friend (who had just finished chemo) came to my house bearing a grocery bag full of Popsicles. Many flavors. I tried one (I think it was cherry) and it was the first thing I was able to keep down in days and days. For the following months, Popsicles became my food of choice when nothing else stayed down. Don’t know whether they’d do the same for you, but give ’em a try…..I’ve recommended them to other chemo club members, and they did good things for most of them. With
love and prayers and big hugs, Susan
Jay, we have a big bag of freeze pops left over from summer. I put them on the back porch because they were taking up too much freezer space. Would you like them? Send Othelmo a text and we can get them over to you.
“Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her?’
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about.’ Then his disciples said to each other, ‘Could someone have brought him food?’
‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'”
~ John 4:27-34