Melanie Swan Photo

I noted today that I have come full circle with my blog! If you click on “archives” you’ll see that I started this blog in November 2007, and now here it is November 2008! And what a year it has been…. As I scrolled through last November’s posts I couldn’t stop the smile that came to my face, nor the tears that came with it.

This past year has been such a hard one, but SO full of blessings. This time last year I was thinking “I never thought I’d be here,” and now a year later I can’t imagine my life had I NOT been there. Of course, “here/there” refers to my husband’s cancer diagnosis, and the long road of chemo, radiation, and recovery that we started down. We are still here in San Antonio due to Rich’s illness, and will be here for a little while longer. But we are in a good place, so we don’t mind so much.

We lived in the Fisher House across the street from Brooke Army Medical Center for 9 (yes, NINE!!) months. The Fisher House was such an amazing blessing. It not only provided a home for us in a new city, but it made us feel safe and protected. Being just across the street from the hospital, and so close to Rich’s doctors, provided a lot of peace. Add to that the many wonderful volunteers who brought meals to the house (or came over and cooked right there for us!), offered listening ears, comforting hugs, and sometimes a very fun activity, and we began to feel downright spoiled! Plus, we met so many wonderful people who shared our house with us; we made many life-long friends.

We were able to move out of the Fisher House about two weeks ago and into an apartment. It’s funny though because a number of families who lived in the FH with us now live in the same apartment community! As a matter of fact, we live right next door to some of our best friends from the FH! We love it!

So yes, it is humbling to look back over this past year and see where God has brought us. His blessings have been abundant, to say the least. I am eager for this new year we are approaching, because I’m confident that God has even BETTER things in store for us in 2009. And of course, I’ll keep you updated.