This evening, our family Hallowe'en tradition of visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunts and Uncles in our costumes, was a little different than in years past, as Lydia was tired out after one stop, and needed to return home to bed.  The boys, however, were just getting started!  (They have had their costumes ready for days!)   We weren't sure if Lydia would be up to going out, or not, so we didn't plan a costume for her.  Fortunately, she was given a large lime green decorative butterfly, in July, which we hung in her bedroom at home, above her hospital bed.  We took it down this afternoon, and she wore it, and was a lively butterfly.  She visited with her cousin and aunt, and hugged and chatted away with them - almost forgetting to even take some candy!
When resting this afternoon, she said to me, "I think I will always have a butterfly's spirit."  How beautiful is that?  Yes, sweet daughter, may it always be so.  May you embrace change and transformation, and give it all it demands from you, your whole life long.

I attended the standing room only, Courage for Lydia concert held today at Conrad Grebel College.  I think everyone in attendance was moved by the beauty and sincerity of the music presented.  To the musicians and especially the composers, Joanne Bender and Carol Ann Weaver, our heartfelt thanks for this generous gift.

This afternoon, after school, a group of Lydia's close friends came to the farm to decorate the golf cart for tomorrow.  With great energy and creativity, they decorated and jazzed up the golf cart!   I will try to include some photos in  tomorrow's blog!

One more detail to communicate about tomorrow.   We have been asked a few times if we are collecting the ribbons, afterwards.  No, we are not.  We will have large recycling containers out by the flag poles, and we are happy to recycle them.