Merry Christmas from Blog Central!

Rolling truffles always gets us here at blog central in a contemplative mood and this morning was no different. As we were scooping chocolate and rolling powder, we got to thinking about all of the miracles that have happened in the past six weeks.

It really is a miracle that RJ is with us and doing so well. On the last visit to the hospital, Jessica talked with several of the ICU nurses who were with us during the scary days and it became very clear just how badly things could have gone. Blog central will never forget one seasoned ICU nurse, looking at RJ heavily sedated, swollen almost beyond recognition and on a loud aggressive ventilator saying, "I've seen worse get better." Its frightening when that is the most positive statement that can be made. But he did get better, and will continue to do so until the chemo therapy is over. As of this moment, RJ is home with his family despite a visit to the ER yesterday. We all hope that he gets to spend this Christmas in his own bed, and know that by next Christmas, all of this will just be a bad memory.

The doctors and nurses at the hospital were each a little miracle on their own. So attentive to both RJ and Jessica (and baby Courtney when she arrived), so accommodating to the unusual situation and so supportive in their own professional way. It is to their credit that this Christmas is joyous rather than somber. The giant pile of presents that arrived from the 5th floor yesterday for all of the Romeros went above and beyond the call of medical duty.

The community that came together to help Jessica and RJ is one of the biggest miracles of all, and we don't mean just the Sebastopol or Castro Valley communities, but the people far and wide who focused on any way they could help. Throughout this part of the journey there have been so many small but amazing moments. Classmates who went out on their own to raise money, a rockin' benefit last week that raised several thousand dollars (still waiting for photographic evidence of such - nudge, nudge), a teacher who held her own raffle of handmade jewelery, Christine at Swiss Delices who gave 30% of her profits last weekend and continues to raise money with the "Jessica and RJ tip jar", landlords who have been very accomodating and even offered up their vacation house for the auction, people who have taken it upon themselves to get utility bills reduced and secure corporate donations, the friends and neighbors who made RJ's first homecoming so special, the many generous donations that continue to come in through the blog (you all continue to amaze every day), the family who made special RJ and Courtney cards to show that a donation had been made in relative's names in lieu of gifts this year (waves to Jill) and all of the amazing cards and blog comments that really brighten the darkest days.

Everything that has happened since RJ's diagnosis has shown that now, more than ever, it not only takes a village to raise a child, but to help save the life of one too.

Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this. Give all of your loved ones an extra hug from blog central.