Today was the first day in a long time that life felt “normal” if it can ever be described by any of us that way. It was a Monday unlike any I have had in a long time. I feel as though this year will bring lots of new beginnings, in so many ways. Grandpa John, Uncle Craig, Dan, Grandma Marji and Grandpa Frank were all staying at the Marriott in SLO and we were able to join them this morning for a great swim and a delicious breakfast before we had to go to school, a perfect start to any day!

Yesterday almost felt like a marvelous dream with so many people joining us to celebrate Autumn’s transition into a much anticipated cancer-free time. There was a hint of the “Wizard of Oz” in the air in every direction as I saw so many friendly, loving faces of people that have cared so much for a little girl who they may have met once or known her entire life. She bounced and bounced in the Tangled House and joyfully ran throughout the exhibits at the Exploration Station with a big, huge, happy smile on her face, it was glorious and more than I could have ever asked for. “How could one kid have so much energy?” was the prevailing question of the day. “She was back to where she wanted to be”, commented one person, it just felt right to see her there, almost like none of it had ever happened.

I want to thank everyone for everything that you have done for Autumn and all of us this past year. We were so happy to see you all there yesterday! Autumn has opened most of her gifts (we try to spread it out over a few days!) and I am happy to announce that we were able to purchase the toy car she really wanted, hooray!

We have our first post-chemo scans in about a month. I will be nervous but very hopeful that we have killed anything that may ever decide to come creeping back into her petite, vulnerable yet tenacious body. For now, we are living in the present for as far as any of us know, it is all we have, and I am thankful to be right here.