Nothing new to update. We’re set to meet with the surgeon to discuss options related to the tumor on Jordan’s spine. We’re also scheduling consultations with other specialists. It’s a sadly familiar process for us. It isn’t troubling Jordan too much. She is enjoying her first days of summer vacation.

Luc graduated from middle school today. We are so proud of him. He is growing into an active, confident, intelligent young man. I often forget how much he has gone through on Jordan’s Journey. He has his own brand of strength, and too often it gets lost in the shadows of his sister’s larger-than-life personality. He is as much an inspiration as she is. I am proud of her today, too.

LMV 35 (1) There is a quiet process that occupies her mind. It foments an insurrection. No matter how the forces ‘gainst it push, it bends and strengthens in the heat of misfortune and capitalizes on spirited emotion. That tiny instinct, a cancer of its own design, invades everything she does. You can thrash her down with bad news, but it will rise up and push her to find a light.

It was not a good day. Before you jump to conclusions, Jordan is home with us and she is just the same as she was yesterday. She sat with me tonight and watched a program about black holes, and she told me quite casually, “this is interesting.” But the day was not good. Jordan had a routine MRI this morning. She did great. She was accessed without a fuss, and she woke up easily and effortlessly.

She dusts and sweeps. She moves books from one corner to the next. Folds blankets and fluffs pillows. This activity continues for an endless hour. I hear the scraping of furniture on the upstairs patio as she sweeps the deck, one of her weekly chores. Next, I hear the thump and saunter of her descending the stairs. She sits across from me and sits quietly until I look up from the laptop to fix her in my vision.