The kids started school this past Monday, demarcating what I call the “unofficial end of summer” (despite there being 33 days left before its official exit). A happy occasion for our school-loving Jack (4^th), Luke (2^nd) and Sarah (K), the transition to uniforms, homework and carpool caught me off-guard more than I anticipated. As I quipped in one of my Facebook posts, of the four seasons, summer seems to speed by the fastest. Much too quickly, in fact.

So I’ve been thinking about our summer. Most importantly, how it was for the kids in light of Mommy’s chemotherapy treatment (aka “ninja medicine” to K.C.A.).

A few trail runs and chats-with-Anne later, I came to the following conclusion: the Fletcher kiddos had a great summer. Not an easy summer. Not a normal summer. Not a summer without tears, new fears, and fitful nights. But a summer that was joyful, and rich in blessings that only Anne’s suffering could have unlocked for our family.

Those blessings arrived in the form of you. That’s right. You made my children’s summer special. You are our village of loving, thoughtful, intentional and generous friends.

“Village” perfectly captures how we’ve experienced your love and care. One of the villagers has fallen ill, so the village organically steps in to provide communal care, not only for the sick villager but her entire family.

Connecting dots…

Ever since Anne was diagnosed back on May 25^th, you have faithfully provided us with delicious meals, tailored to our family’s dietary needs. More than simply filling our bellies, your prepared dinners have freed Anne to rest and invest her limited energy in the children, freed Suzanne (Anne’s mom) to keep the house running and care for the kids, and freed me to focus on work and allowed me more time with Anne and the Phletcha trifecta. In other words, you have helped us preserve the one thing that the Thief so adeptly steals: time.

The other significant way in which you made my children’s summer memorable was by whisking them away for play dates, outings, and sleepovers. Just last week, some dear friends took Friday off from work, snagged the kids that morning, and had a big time going to the museum, the pool and other adventures. Amazing gift. What’s more, on their own initiative several of Jack, Luke, and Sarah’s teachers at St. David’s took the kids for entire afternoons this summer, treating them to neat opportunities for fun and learning that neither Anne nor I could have provided.

Friends, you have blessed us this summer. The evidence is written all over my children. Anne and I are humbled and brimming with gratitude for the ways in which you have so specifically loved our family.

You are our Village, without whom we could not face and fight this cancer battle with the same resolve, energy, joy, and hope your torrent of love has infused in us.

Thank you. A million times over.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Van