How's the family?

I have heard this question asked directly and indirectly through your comments so I thought I should respond.

To start, today marks the 35th birthday of Angela Joy Beiler. Happy birthday, Angie! We miss you here but know you are loving us from heaven!

Mom is a trooper. She has spent every night but one at dad's side in the hospital. The thought of not being there with him isn't really an option for her. As long as she feels that she can rest well, she seems to be doing fine. After bringing blankets and pillows from home and a few personal items, she settled into a quasi routine at LGH. Life stopped for all of us, but especially for her. When I spoke with her today, she commented that she felt very peaceful. The love that her and dad have is a testament to the power of love and commitment. Love you mom!

Russ (LaWonna's husband) went ahead with a trip that was scheduled before all of this happened. He left on Friday and returned to us on Monday. He felt reluctant to go in light of dad's situation, but LaWonna encouraged him to go and be with his brother. Upon his return, we learned that he was ill the entire time and is even now sick and in bed. He needs some of your prayers, too. LaWonna has been juggling the responsibilities of being a mother and the desire she has to be with dad. Mia,2, Ryan, 4, and Trinity, 8 certainly keep her busy. With some help from a few sitters, she has been able to spend time with dad during the day. She stays in touch by phone, otherwise. We all just miss being together.

I need to give a shout out to my boy, Cristian, who has been so understanding, tender, and flexible during the last week. After the first night of seeing Pop Pop in the hospital, he told me that if he could takes his place in there, he would. That's my boy.

On January 5, we, as a family, decided to join together as the leadership team of The JoAnn Group, dad's latest endeavor. We met several times at the end of 2008 and felt ourselves coming together in a new and unexpected way. The JoAnn Group is now officially a family business. On the Sunday before dad's routine colonoscopy, a sprinkler head in the Family Center froze and burst, flooding the 2nd floor and part of the 1st floor. I remember thinking to myself that day that something was not agreeing with our new found unity as a family. The damage was minor and only provided an opportunity for us to work together. Then Wednesday came. And again, it has afforded us yet another opportunity to come together as a family. The whispers and workings throughout the last few months have been profound. A shift has occurred and it is right on time.

Now as I sit here sniffling and sneezing, I find myself smiling and shaking my head at the whole string of events. I shared with some friends earlier today that the work we are doing, the work that dad began, must be pretty important given all the attempts to thwart our enthusiasm. Honestly, it just challenges me to do more.

The first 28 days of 2009 have been a reality check for all of us, but the energy it has brought to our family is the blessing that continues to unfold.

More will be revealed...