It’s been almost exactly 3 months since Mom Chong returned home to Ohio in September.  She came during my first cycle of chemo in February, and except for a few respites visiting Anita & Allen in Chicago, she lived with us and served us the entire time of my treatment.  What a sacrifice on behalf of both Mom and Dad.

Dad, thank you for spending all your vacation time this year at our house in Raleigh.  You quietly and confidently step in to do whatever needs to be done: running kids to and from school, prepping meals, reading to the big kids, playing with the babies.  I will never forget how you were on a plane 48 hours after Mom Page came down with a bad case of bronchitis during chemo.  When we needed you, everything at home was put on hold so you could come.

Of course, the biggest sacrifice was not having your wife at home for seven months!  You worked, cooked for yourself, and made time to take care of all the household responsibilities that Mom normally handles.  All church functions were only you; the evenings and weekends were certainly more quiet and even lonely, I imagine.  Thank you for the sacrifices you made to enable Mom being with us.

Mom, there are no words sufficient to express our gratefulness.  Your presence alone was extremely supportive.  You were the “behind the scenes” person that made the household run smoothly.  There were a million little things you did that amounted to so much.

Thank you for taking such impeccable care of baby Kai, and bonding with him as though he was your own.  He was only a chubby 9 month old when you came, and you celebrated so many of his milestones with us: crawling, babbling, eating so many different things for the first time, first day of preschool, and now walking!  I remember one time this summer I was playing with him and he fell and bumped his head.  I held him as he cried big crocodile tears, but he would not be soothed until you held him.  Though it sounds sad, I am grateful Kai had you –  such a loving and nurturing “substitute mommy” during this season when I was often physically unable to care for him.

You blessed us by devoting yourself to my health and wellness during this season.  I remember hundreds of healthy snacks and meals you made, coaxing me to eat well even during chemo.  The fact that little Will thinks “you’re the best cook ever” (his words) means you really are!  If you can make vegetables appealing to a four-year-old boy, you’re pretty amazing!

You always made sure I had a fresh water to drink, supported me in exercising, cleaned and cleaned and cleaned to try and keep the germs away (no small task with four little ones around).  You kept up with post-surgical instructions, and made sure I was as comfortable as possible.  You enjoyed a revolving door as friends and family bought joy into the journey.  You lived this with us, walked with us, experienced with us.  Most of all you prayed for us and with us, believed with us, trusted God with us.

There will never be words to thank you for all you did, and especially all you are to us!  We felt so loved and supported by you both this year.  Thank you so much.