A quick update and word of thanks to those of you on social media who continue to reach out and offer their support and encouragement. As longtime readers of this blog will know, Madame Padre has been fighting cancer for two and a half years now, and has been giving ground grudgingly. Unfortunately, her cancer has advanced and we and her oncologist are now hoping that we will have some good months remaining. She continues to inspire me with her resilience and peacefulness, and with her total absence of self-pity. Our parish friends sometimes speak of her as a living saint, which causes her to gently roll her eyes, but I see their point.
Friends and family are amazing with their support and kindness. My brother Chris flow out from Vancouver, a five hour flight, just to spend the weekend with me and to help construct this wheelchair ramp which we hope will assist Madame when she comes home from the hospital.
Knowing my interest in all things related to the B17 and to the airwar over Germany in WW2, the kind and eclectic Edwin King put together this B17 gift for me, which arrived in my mailbox last week. It includes a guide to old USAAF airfields in Norwich, and I hope to tour them with Edwin one day.
The wargaming hobby is pretty much on hold for me at present. The only accomplishment I can point to is that I snickered the blocks for the Command and Colors Napoleonic Epic expansion. Lord knows when I will play it.
I'll leave you with this photo of happier times last August, when Madame was well enough to come to work and be present at my promotion to Major. We were joined by my ecclesiastical boss, the Anglican bishop ordinary to the Armed Forces. He used to play Avalon Hill games as a boy, and I've encouraged him to visit this blog and see what a mad padre does.
Please keep Kay and I in your thoughts and prayers and accept my apologies for not visiting your own blogs and projects as they deserve. Thank you for all your support and encouragement in this hard journey.
Blessings,
MP+
