Sidetracked

I had plans for today, there was sewing to work on, clothes to be washed and put away, food to cook, and buy for that matter, packages to mail, phone calls to make, in a word, LIFE. Most of that was pushed to the back burner for the day, for a very worthwhile reason.

A few weeks ago we learned that a dear friend and colleague of eric's was diagnosed with breast cancer. She and her family are currently living abroad but the diagnosis and plan of attack is brining them home sooner than planned. I am sure there will be a line of people who want to give all of them a HUGE hug. I know that is all I have wanted to do since learning the news. While they have been away they have rented out their house, common practice here in university town. Them coming home early makes for a bit of a pickle. The people who are now renting their house have become friends of ours as well, they even have a child in school with Otto. They are happy to move and give the house back, but a family of 5 with two dogs can't just go anywhere on a few days notice...

Enter our amazing town. They have been looking for a place for a while, and even are about to buy a house, but they need a place starting RIGHT NOW for about the next three months. Today was the day they needed a house. Many phone calls were made, discussions about how allergic people really are to well cleaned, post dog house we had and by lunch time today they had a house. My partner in crime Rachel and family have been generous enough to lend their house while they are away. I took the new family there this afternoon and it looks like it is going to be a great fit. Keys are being copied, logistics are being nailed down. It is done, children will be tucked into clean warm beds each night and life will continue to go on as seamlessly as it possibly could in this situation.

There are many things we give up living here. There are no great museums, or stores, or live music. The diversity is a joke and EVERYONE it seems goes to church, which is fine until you are someone who doesn't, or *gasp* Jewish or *double gasp* Muslim. The closest airport that functions is over an hour away and "functions" is a stretch. But, it is beautiful, the houses are amazing, the area provides wonderful local food and the community is fairytale-esque. People here will drop everything to help someone else. They are truly kind and thoughtful. This family coming home will not have to cook for months. It will all be taken care of. There have been massive emails all day today discussing airport pickups, who will be stocking the fridge, etc..

I am happy do without all the fancy big city advantages. Family and friends who in a moments notice are willing to go so are far more satisfying than any museum or restaurant.

Now we can all focus on the task at hand, and I quote one of the main rally leaders today

"help us tell cancer to FUCK OFF!"