She is back at Ronald McDonald Camp, and very excited about it. We won’t see her again until Thursday. She took her camera and promised to snap lots of pictures. I miss her already.

She had a rough chemo day. She did great getting accessed and hob-nobbing with some visiting celebrities. But the drugs socked her a little harder than usual. We think her body is starting to tolerate them less. She gets sick almost as soon as they drip. Fortunately, she doesn’t need to tolerate the drugs for much longer. Though chemo may have won today’s battle, you’d have a hard time seeing it now.

She gave me a handsome handmade card. She drew all the pictures, and dictated her sentiments to her school aid. Here’s what I received in the booklet card, panel by panel: – He’s a great tickler! He knows my tickle spots, especially the one under my arm and my neck! – I also like to watch Andy Rooney with my Dad! – He’s so clever about making podcasts with me.

Jordan, The Persistent She plops down on the sofa next to me and sighs. – When are we going to the store to buy my tea? – When you clean your room. – Oh! She groans and heaves another sigh. – You always want me to clean my room. – If you didn’t mess it up, we wouldn’t ask you to clean it. – But I want to get that tea.

Two Strong Women One has quiet strength. She can withstand setback after setback, steel herself and trudge forward without much complaint. The other is a lion. She will overpower you with the force of her will, and let everyone in her path know that she has conquered you. My wife and my daughter flirt with strength on very different paths–paths that have converged on an epic scale. At times, they butt heads.