Thanks for your letter dated July 27, 2011. I just received it last week. I don’t understand the delay but I was relieved to hear from you. Receiving your letter so close to Easter when we are thinking about rebirth and resurrection – well, it was moving.
It seems like we have many things in common. Although I won’t ever plan to do a triathlon, I do camp and hike and bike ride. The closest I will ever get to a marathon is cheering for my daughter-in-law. She is training for her first – and only, she says – marathon. I am also strong-willed and have a good sense of direction. My wife and I recently went to a concert and she noticed I could clap to the beat of the music. That was something new. Could that be your marrow at work?
Your marrow still wants to fight with my liver so I am on steroids and immuno-suppressants to try to help that (GVHD). I feel fine although I am not my old self. I am a carpenter but I have not worked since October 2010 when I was diagnosed and started treatment. In the last month I have started small projects at my son and daughter-in-law’s new house. Sometimes I am pooped when I come home! I have been able to volunteer some time at church, too.
I was told that I could meet or contact you directly at our one-year anniversary, if both of us are agreeable. What do you think? I hope it doesn’t take eight months to get your answer.
We have shared your letter with many family and friends. We should probably buy stock in Kleenex. There were many censor marks which made your letter look a little like a ransom note. Even the name of your baby cousin was censored. My sister-in-law has dubbed him “Luke” for the meantime so that he is not nameless to us.
We have three children: the 28-year-old who got married last summer (to a lovely girl, the marathoner-to-be), a 26-year-old daughter who lives in a nearby city, and our 20-year-old “baby” son who is a college student.
We continue to pray for you and your family. We are thankful for your baby cousin for inspiring you, the patient hero who held the marrow drive where your DNA was collected, your aunt who got the call from the registry when all your other contacts had moved, and you for answering my need. We pray that your generosity inspires others to register their marrow, too, so that your little cousin will continue to impact many lives.
Happy Easter!
Your Blood Brother
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