Lightening the Load

The Mayo Clinic doesn’t generally do weekend appointments, so there are no new test results to report today. But the arrival of Nelson’s brother Lars from Chicago yesterday gave all of us a boost. Nelson, Ann Sophie, Will, and Lars are spending the holiday weekend at cousin Luke’s beautiful home 80 miles north of our apartment, where Luke continues to anticipate each need and stretch himself to meet it. He’s one of a kind.

During these days, all of us are sensing God’s close presence. Looking back on the week just ended, we see evidence of this dotting the days. One moment in particular served to sweep away disappointment and substitute joy.

Nelson, Ann Sophie, Will and I were together in an exam room listening to two experienced doctors describe what was going on in Nelson’s body. They came to the hard part about the places where cancer has taken hold, and the air became heavy with sadness.

But just then, baby Will decided to answer nature’s call, and with one quick grunt accompanied by lots of explosive noises, he filled his diaper.

All five of us burst out laughing—right in the middle of the sadness. Nelson said, “We call him the Authentic Man. He doesn’t hide anything from anyone.”