...when happiness hears your name...

“Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.” 

― حافظ

It caught me.  Happiness that is... the staggering response we have felt from the on the minds of moms magazine feature, has truly been well?  Completely overwhelming.

I'm still counting my gifts and my journal pages are adding up rapidly.

I had a really thoughtful friend bring stamps, envelopes and extra magazines to my house.

So I spent the day Saturday fulfilling all the requests for a copy of the magazine.  We've mailed them to California, Texas, Georgia, South Dakota, Minnesota, and lots and lots of places.

Then when I went to the lab to pick up a test for my mom?  They asked for a copy.  And when I brought my mom's test back to them?  They had read it and wanted more to share. 

Plus some of the other unexpected surprises?

I heard from Colton's first pre-school teacher!

I've received phone calls, cards, texts, emails.

Somebody bought us dinner last night. 

I went to get blood work today at Roger Maris and was hugged three times before I left.  The waiting room was packed with patients in the throes of their horrible disease.  Wheel chairs scattered amongst walkers.  Lots of frail, grey, bald, and beautiful people- in the fight of their lives.  

And there they are- all the caring, compassionate people who tirelessly work there.  Both the staff and the volunteers. They pour out hope and belief and concern.  They pray when we're sick and cheer when we're well and hold us together when we are too weak and frail to think we can go on much more. 

On this day, happiness caught us all.  Amidst the pain.  The worry.  The cancer.  Happiness snuck in- calling my name.  I've been out here waiting for it to catch me.  So I could fully embrace it back.

I'll see Dr. Panwalkar in the morning and then have my infusion of herceptin to follow.

I thought I'd share the last of our photos from our Minneapolis trip last weekend.  

Saturday in the Cities we decided to take the kids to Como Zoo as we've never been before.  The admission price was perfect for us- only a suggested donation which we happily made.

The flower photos are mine- happily the animal pictures are all Rick's. 

Saturday night Grandpa Jim stayed with the boys so Rick and I could go out to eat.  We closed out a business credit card and turned our points into restaurant gift certificates.  We felt spoiled rotten.

After dinner, as guests at the hotel in the Foshay Tower, we had free access to the observation deck above.  The views were stunning.

I also took a few shots as we walked from the restaurant to the hotel.

The IDS building with the Foshay Tower reflected on its side.

The Foshay Tower.

The surprisingly modern decor inside the hotel.  We always hotwire our rooms and have ended up here once before.  It has a pretty hip and young vibe and was perfectly comfortable.  While I perhaps prefer a bit more light and crisp, it was a fun alternative.

To end our evening, we went upstairs to the lounge where we were treated to an ambient light cast from a setting sun across the cityscape.