I was not sure what to do. Is it better to share what I have learned over the past two weeks or to keep it silent? As many who know us are aware, we have never been a family of secrets. It has always been my intention to share some of our life experiences because we felt that it was important for others to know that hurdles and challenges in families are natural and that they can be overcome through the power of emunah and the fact that no one is immune from bad things happening to them.

During the past two weeks we learned that my beloved Mordechai is suffering from stage 4 lung cancer. His prognosis is not good. As I write this he is still in the hospital with the hope that he will return home tomorrow under palliative/hospice care. As a couple we have spoken openly to each other many times over the years about what we would want to happen if exactly such a situation arose in our lives. Thank God we did so. I cannot imagine any couple not having such a conversation, especially as they age, yet I know that for many, leaving things unspoken is an easy way to pretend that they will never happen.

Each day he continues to tell me how lucky we are and how beautiful the world is. We will continue to plod through each day with as many smiles on our faces as we can manage. For now I will ask you to please keep Mordechai Feiva (not Feival) ben Dvorah Leah in your thoughts and prayers.