This morning I arose before Anne, who was sleeping peacefully in a cute pink cap that was given to her by Rebecca Foley, a longtime swimming buddy of mine from childhood and cancer survivor. Thank you, sweet Rebecca.

As I opened the fridge in search of cream for my coffee, I reached past delicious leftover food brought over last night by our dear friend Beth. It made me think about how blessed we’ve been to have so many of you go out of your way to have prepared meals at our doorstep over the last several weeks. Thank you, sweet friends.

Then, at 6:26 a.m., Anne and I receive an email from my good buddy Aaron McKethan, who I’ve known for almost 20 years from our glory days at UNC-Chapel Hill.  True to form, my witty friend writes an email that puts me in stitches, punctuated with a great reminder that our Heavenly Father is a God of restoration.  I immediately asked Aaron for permission to copy and paste his email here, which he granted with one proviso: invite all of you to contribute to his list.

I think it’s brilliant.

Thank you, Aaron, for the gift of humor.  Now, for a good laugh:

I have been thinking that, despite the many serious drawbacks, there are some inherent advantages in temporarily not having your hair during treatment:

1. Shampoo expenses will plummet. Use the resulting savings to purchase dark chocolate.
2. Bed head? Not a problem. Let’s go.
3. Time to spend serous money on some awesome hats. I recommend that you don’t always go the conventional route. Try a Dr. Seuss hat once in a while.
4. Cut in the front of every line. Who would question you?
5. Now’s your chance to tell people you belong in a punk band. Black fingernail polish, lip piercings, and neck tattoos also recommended.
6. Use your new bald-is-beautiful powers to convince Van to go bald as well. You two together sans-hair would make for a memorable Christmas picture.
7. Your swimming pool adventures will be characterized by heretofore unprecedented aerodynamism.
8. As your hair grows back in, you will get to experiment with a range of hairstyles over multiple stages.
9. Warm scarves. Enough said.
10. When your hair returns to its beautiful glory that we all know and love, you will look back at all the photos and remember how God was with you and for you the whole time.

Anne and I look forward to your contributions.

With joy,

Van