Every year for the first 10-11 years of marriage Lisha and I would go see Lyle Lovett in concert here in Seattle.  When the kids were young we would bring them with us.  In fact, Hannah’s first Lyle Lovett concert was when she was 3 weeks old.  Concert venue rules permit kids 2 and under to get in free.  The last time we went as a family Hannah was probably 4 and we somehow passed her off as a 2-year-old.

Sadly, Ticketmaster and the venue “Kids Gotta Pay Too” committee conspired against us and we were priced out.

Recently a couple of great friends, Kevin and Adrienne surprised us with tickets to see Lyle again at an outdoor concert.  In spite of the 80% chance of rain forecast for the start of the concert we only had a few sprinkles the first few minutes.  It’s something that I never would have thought possible in my wildest dreams 7 or 8 weeks ago.  We were surely the only people in tears at the concert when it occurred to us.

Last week was a good week.  I am down to one more radiation treatment ending tomorrow and took my last chemo pill last night.  This must be what the marathon runner feels like coming through the tunnel into the stadium for one last lap with the finish line in sight.

There have been a couple of side effects I’ve had to manage over the past week.  The first is that my scalp has gotten itchy and red from the radiation, waking me up several times a night.  The worst however has been a little change in my taste buds; glazed donuts, chocolate covered donuts, old fashioned chocolate donuts , Danish donuts, all have a “chemically” taste.  I was so concerned that I messaged my doc and he said that it may last a couple of weeks after completing the chemo.  TWO WEEKS!

My oldest daughter has started basketball practice.  Friday night I went to pick her up and got there about 15 minutes early as they were splitting up to scrimmage.  They were a player short and the coach turned to me and asked if I wanted to jump in.  Now I haven’t played any basketball other than a game of horse in at least 20 years.  My daughter guarded me and it was a fun 10-15 minutes of intense basketball.  I’m sure the highlight for her, and everyone else there for that matter was when she blocked my shot.  I was as surprised as she was.  Just to make sure I knew my place one of the other kids kept saying “who’s got the old guy!”  At any rate it was supremely fun and no one had to call 911 and have me hauled out of the gym.

There were speed bumps this weekend.  We went to a memorial service for the father of a friend at our church.  It was emotional and challenging for many reason and colored our day to some extent.  We knew it would be tough be it was important to go.

One of the highlights of the week occurred on Monday during my radiation treatment.  They play music during the session to relax you during the 7-10 minutes you are in the room.  Before I started any treatments, I was asked what sort of music I liked.  I told them that worship music was good to help me relax when I was worried.  This particular day when they left the room after securing my head to the large table in the room a song was playing.  A girl was singing solo and playing a guitar.  It seemed a little loud but I didn’t think much of it.  The next song was CRANKED.  It was so loud that the huge bed literally shook.  I could feel the music in my chest.  I have no doubt that everyone in the radiation department heard it.  The words to the song, which I had never heard before, repeat over and over “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.  This is how we fight our battles.”  Imagine that as you’re lying there vulnerable on the radiation table bed.  Imagine hearing that as you’re sitting in the waiting room for your turn.  Check out the link for a video of the song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl84oZxnJ4.

Every time they lock me in place I pray.  I pray for family, friends, the kind people there at the hospital.  The crazy thing is that this particular day I prayed that God would just come into the place.  I had this image in my head of a cloud or a fog coming into the room.  A few minutes later the lyrics shook the foundation of my bed.  Shortly after the song ended they had an opportunity to come into the room and turned the music down (they couldn’t come in until the radiation machine had stopped.)

When the session was over and they unstrapped my head, they apologized for the volume.  I was nearly in tears but told them it was awesome.  I thought about my situation and that of all those who had come in that room before me and after me.  People surrounded by fear, uncertainty and despair.  What a peace to know that we can be surrounded by you Lord.

My little one turned 10 today.  It’s hard to believe.  Friday was the 21^st anniversary of the day I met Alisha as well as a landmark blocked shot that surely will be memorialized in the years to come on September 21.   Life changing events.

Psalm 139 says “You have searched me Lord, and You know me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and lying down; You are familiar with all of my ways.”    Another version puts it this way, “You are intimately acquainted with all of my ways.”

When Alisha walks up the stairs, I know it’s her before I see her.  When my children cough or sneeze, I know which one it is.  When they are sick, I know it before I ever kiss their forehead checking for a fever.  I can pick out Alisha’s laugh in a crowded room.  I am intimately acquainted with all of their ways because I love them and spend time with them.  What a comfort that God knows us in the same way.