Round Three is Tomorrow

Greetings from sister-in-law Lynn Anne, here to report on the awesome Gibbs Family.... headed up, don't we know, by the Amazing Super Woman, Lynn Rae. There is no way to describe the scene here without multitudinous hyperbole. The family members carry on with great aplomb. Lynn, the caretaker, continues in her role even if she is sometimes on the couch directing the show. She stoically heads in to Manhattan for her chemo and associated appointments. Next comes the two day round of steroids which sends her spinning into a whirl of dedicated activity ...Rita needs a little walk, what sounds good for dinner, has Kat done that prepping for her SATS, is Ian feeling better, did he get the right meds, has Phil found his missing sox, the flowers need water, I'll just need to get this paper over to the printer for the House Tour; Lynn Anne, do you need another pillow? Let's get this all sorted out!! This is so the Lynn Rae you have come to know and love, right?

When the steroids finally wind down, then she is just as gracefully her Lynn Rae quieter self sipping her lemon water and directing the family show from the couch, with fireplace ablaze and Rita curled up at her feet. She looks gorgeous: the wigs and turbans and scarves and beanies have been branded by the familiar LRG panache.

I could get quite long winded on this blog. So I'll try to circumvent that trend. Instead, I'll sum up by saying I have learned so much this visit about bravery and patience and grace under fire. Everyone does their part, and if you don't know how to do your part, then you just figure it out, as the family effort moves toward health and wellness. The International Club has been providing luscious and healthy meals, the neighbors have done the same. Well wishers and family members call and send applesauce from Gramma Jane's recipe. Kat has been so helpful with doggy Rita's walks and doing grocery store runs, all the while balancing her school demands and SAT prep, and social life. Ian flew home to see his mom, obviously a picker upper of the spirit! Hubby Phil has 'circled the wagons' so artfully. He's a cook, bottle washer, launderer, Pilates buddy, tea maker, and active best friend. I'm proud of the way my brother has grown and matured through this family event /ordeal / crisis ( ... what does one call it? It is that 'silver lining thing' we've all read about on the Hallmark cards... but now the family is living it, and the silver linings are abundantly real, even if difficult to recognize at times.) For my part, I have become so aware of all my little innocuous complaints I am in the habit of making in the course of any day... my irritating little hang nail, the burst shampoo bottle, misplacing my cell phone ... and then I think, good grief. woman, do you hear yourself? How does Lynn Rae walk through this frightening, shadowy time with such courage and strength and patience and love ... and without complaining!? There is my silver lining, my lesson to learn from my visit here. What an honor.

Humbly and with love, Phil's sister Lynn Anne