I remember it well. I stood with 2 co-workers in the front yard of a customers house and listened to the news. It was the eleventh of September, 2001. A significant day in history. I also remember January 30, 2013. It was one year ago today that Tara was diagnosed with a late stage cancer that threatened her life; and our way of living. That news altered our lives like the toppled towers of steel altered our nation.
It took us getting to the point where we could not survive without help to realize that God is really there. He is not hiding in religion, but is thriving in the lives of people who know and love Him. He is aware of our suffering and may even cause it, knowing the good that will come from it. “What good?” you may ask. Our joy and fulfillment in life. We were all made to give God glory and will always be unsatisfied unless our lives are pointing to Him.
But in the midst of it, the year wasn’t rosy at all. It hurt. We broke often. We cried more tears this year than all the previous combined. We slacked on some key parenting issues that we will have to fix later. We all changed so much that we had to re-learn how to get along at times; the same old things didn’t work like they used to. We had some days with sobering news and others with fantastic news. It was a roller coaster of a year.
But as it sits right now, Tara is doing well. We are in Haiti as I write. Our oldest daughter, Micalyn, is with us. It was one place Tara desired to return, so we did it. The work God is doing through the Paulos Group impacted our lives before cancer and the Gauthier’s, McCormick’s and King’s encouraged us during cancer. So now we are trying to return the favor. Our four other kids are waiting for us in Florida where, in a few days, we will get to participate in the Inheritance of Hope retreat that we missed last May due to Tara’s health.
So life goes on. This year is just another, and another will soon pass. And one day, regardless of outcomes, we will look back at it. It will either be well done, or not. We may as well make it count and try do it well.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Thank you for this reminder of the one year date – we are friends of Tara’s mom and dad from our Swea City days long ago. I have prayed with you, for you and over you during this past year. I, too, have felt a new closeness to our God as I have seen Him at work in those we love. May the year ahead bring more blessings – prayers for your time away in the warmer climates. Again, thank you for this beautiful message today – lovingly sent from cold, snowy South Dakota today. Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:42:05 +0000 To: rcolson@msn.com
So good to hear from you again. I get so much encouragement from your words and feel the strength and hope in them. I’ve never met you (I was a co-worker of Nan’s), but you are such an inspiration to me. God bless you and keep you.
Thank you for sending the update, Jay. Most appreciated.
Tara, Jay and family,
I have thought about you many times this week and reflected on your journey over the last year – remembering your attempt to take this trip (Florida) last spring. How broken we all felt when it ended up not being possible. I am so grateful it was God’s will for you to experience it now as a family with you, Tara, feeling so much stronger. Haiti is a bonus event. Enjoy every moment, like never before.
Love, Kristie Moore
Thank you for sharing your life and year with us. You have encouraged our family to seek HIM more. We love you and miss you. We are heading to Rochester soon and would love to connect!
Beautifully said. Those of us living with any kind of cancer are in exactly this place. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks for the update!! You have been such and inspiration and encouragement to every one! Someone asked last evening at Bible study at Fred Link’s if I had heard how you are doing, I shared that the last we heard,
was that we praised God that you were given a good report!!!
http://www.kttc.com/story/24659666/2014/02/06/rochester-family-copes-with-cancer?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9814487#.UvUJ9wlv0Do.facebook