One day I picked Barney up at school while Don chose to come home on the bus as usual. It had been snowing a lot so I pointed out the big, wide snowshovel and asked Barney to clear the walk in front of the step so that Don would be able to get to the step. Later when Barney came inside, he took me to the window to show me what he’d done and said “I spoiled Don. I made a path all the way from the bus stop to the house, see?”

He was extremely pleased with his good Samaritanism, and I said “It feels good to do something nice for someone, doesn’t it? You’ve just learned one of the secrets of life.”

My sister and her husband and baby came over to spend the afternoon yesterday, while Loverboy went to a potluck at his aunt’s. I made a little supper here and we had a nice time. Suzanne didn’t want to leave, but was expected at Grandma’s to spend the night, so they left about 8:30.

They stopped in a while ago to pick up Christmas gifts for Mom and Dad, and will be heading back to B.C. tomorrow or the next day with a detour to Edmonton to see Don and Barney at their dad’s, and my brother.

I have awakened each morning with the awareness that their friend, who is a 38-year-old mother of two, has a malignant brain tumour and may not live more than a few months. I don’t know her well but it still tears me up to be reminded of what she must be going through, knowing that in spite of all positive thinking and all alternative therapies, she may not have a choice and may leave her children behind. I cannot imagine many things more horrible.