We have all, at one time or another, deliberately observed a moment of silence. A brief time of respect, memory and reflection. Often, this is a time that has grief woven inextricably into the memories. I have not written here for more than six weeks. Part of that time has been this blog's moment of silence for a nephew on Kathy's side, Jacob de Schiffart from Dunnville, Ontario. Less than a year past his diagnosis of lymphoma, less than a year after his 29th birthday, less than a year beyond celebrating the birth of another child to Rachel and him, on Sept 5 the lymphoma claimed Jake's life. From afar, we have easily seen how Jake and Rachel and the rest of the family have leaned on God through these excruciating events. They have been held in God's good hands. They have expressed genuine comfort right in the middle of unspeakable anguish. May God walk with all those who experience Jake's absence in everyday moments. May God help them and us to keep the faith. The
Brian’s diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma was in May 2018. The initial treatment was a stem cell transplant. After 30 months there was a relapse, followed by chemo, another relapse, new chemo and yet another relapse. In January 2024, the 4th treatment began. Brian currently gets weekly injections of an immunotherapy drug. Sometimes we keep the faith and sometimes we need family and friends around us to keep the faith for us. This blog is about enabling us all to be kept in the faith.