Amazing

Harper continues to surprise us, though I suppose if I were smart, I'd stop being surprised. As has been her pattern, she handled the most recent chemo round (her first since her kidney removal surgery) better than could be expected. She's had a little nausea here and there, and she did vomit once in the hospital before coming home, but by and large, she seems relatively un-phased.

We've learned not to underestimate her willpower, and her desire, it would seem, to live a "normal" life. Close friends of ours and their daughters joined us today (Sunday). They were up for anything, and so, it seems, was Harper.

We started with sushi (Harper's suggestion). It was really hibachi with sushi added in, but as wild as it seems, it's one of Harper's favorite foods (second to Skyline, of course).

After our bellies were full, we explored the Falls of the Ohio park, including walking around down on the fossil beds. With the river down and the spillway closed, there was a lot of space to roam, and Harper kept up, if not led the pack. She event climbed up and down piles of rocks. It was hard to tell she'd had had chemo just 48 hour prior.





Next we ventured to the other side of the Ohio to the Mcalpin Locks, where we waited and watched a river barge maneuver through the locks headed downriver. Having not seen it before, it was interesting, but in actuality, there's not much to actually "see".

We then rewarded ourselves for our hard barge-watching with ice cream from Polly's Freeze. Yum. Not good for the waste line, but definitely good for the soul. Sad that they will be closing for the season next weekend, but it just makes their reopening in the spring that much sweeter.

Through it all, Harper pushed through, rarely complaining. She enjoyed herself. She enjoyed playing with her sisters and her friends.

I am continually surprised by her - her strength - her calm - her general positivity. I don't know if I could be the person she is if I were in her shoes. She truly is amazing, and I thank God for allowing us to keep her - hopefully a long while longer.