4:00am and I’m wide awake. I don’t do well with the time changes and I try to close my eyes and breathe. The sound of the ocean waves hums outside my window and I rest, so happy to be back in California with the salty air and constant sand particles in every part of our being.

Three of our four children have been filtering in and we will all be together within the next 8 hours. I love being together as a family especially as we join our extended family for Thanksgiving. We have traveled across the US to share stories, laugh and catch up and remember/celebrate our limited time together.

I take none of this for granted. Each day we are together is a profound gift. As our lives continue to evolve, paths change and families grow I relish each moment. Happy, sad, broken, confident, frustrated, joyful – these collectively make us who we are and what we are. Family.

Our children have had a far from a perfect journey. Through it all we have been there for each other. We celebrate their successes so Ed has these memories ingrained in his mind.

I see the joy in Ed’s eyes as the kids arrive, eager to share their tales of travel, school, work and life. As his life is so contained by ALS and communication restricted and limited, these times are the most precious. My heart is full. And I am incredibly grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers!