These last two weeks have been a blur.
I’ve been trying to help out my husband as he’s struggled with weight loss and residual pain.
He’s meeting the oncologist this week to try to figure out what’s going on — and next steps.
And the clock has been ever ticking down as we’ve stared at tomorrow’s date as our D.C. departure time.
I’ve been dreading this Oliver goodbye, and more possible bad news on David’s health front, so I’ve been trying to keep busy.
I’ve been cooking for my crew.
And that means all of us.
There’ve been countless hours doing research and dorm shopping.
We’ve been soaking in the sun with Porter at various spots around town.
Along the river just south of downtown.
And at Thousand Acres with its wonderful place to swim (and pick wild blackberries).
And I’ve been making Chex Mix — my nervous-eating go-to for years.
And sharing it with all in my mini-universe (including many strangers!).
The only thing left to do has been going with Oliver to revisit some of his favorite casual places to eat around town.
He’s dictated where we’ve been eating, and nostalgia and simplicity have reigned supreme.
So there’s been lots of dude food.
Wings at Fire on the Mountain.
Burgers — at Little Big Burgers.
And PDX Sliders.
And lots of pizza.
Hot Lips.
Ranch.
Apizza Scholls.
And Scottie’s — my personal favorite.
So much good eating, but sadly my husband couldn’t join us for any of this. Every time I’d take the three of us out we’d try to enjoy every meal to the fullest but we’d both enter and leave with heavy hearts.
When one of your tribe is hurting, you all hurt.
Damn. It’s been a hell of a summer.
And the timing for our lives to implode with David’s illness couldn’t be worse.
And now is it really possible that we’re really leaving for D.C. tomorrow?
And how is that it seems that in a blink of an eye we’ve gone from this kid (clearly in the middle)
to this college freshman?
Damn, this next week is going to be hard.
I’ll be watching Oliver say goodbye to his Dad and dog (and home), David’s big doctor visit, and then Charlotte and I kiss Oliver goodbye as he embraces his new life.
And then Charlotte and I head back to Portland with one less family member.
And I have to try to make sense of that to a dog who lives and breathes Oliver 24/7 and will be mystified by Oliver’s absence.
I’m so so grateful that David’s ex, Anita, an amazing woman I’m grateful to call a friend, has offered to come up from S.F. to stay with David while he goes to the doctor and keep him company while we’re out off launching Oliver.
Heavy hearts — and gratitude.
And lastly, as always, I welcome prayers for strength, health, safety and courage. We will all need it.
I’ll check in after D.C. on what must surely be a tear-logged keyboard.
XO, Sarah
I’ve got tears in my eyes reading this. I wish I had something profound to say but I am speechless. Love you all.
Nancy, thanks so much for being a rock for my folks during their time in Wisconsin. I’m profoundly grateful for your love and attention to them. Love to connect one of these days! XO
Big hugs to you Sarah. You are not alone, sending lots of energy and positive energy to you. You will be ok. xxx
What a summer indeed. So exciting for Oliver and the next step in his life’s journey (truly a wonderful time), and yet our hearts ache for David’s health challenges. Prayers continue for you all. Keep on keeping on, Team Kline!
Joan, thanks for chiming in. Thanks so so much for the prayers and good wishes — they mean the world to me when I feel the love coming at us from so many directions!
Hope you and yours are thriving! Sarah
Hugs, Sarah and all. Beautiful beautiful, before, behind, beside, above, beneath. All beautiful .
And you are not losing a family member. He will be back and up all kinds of crazy hours before you know it.
But I know it’s hard. And you can do it.
Hugs, your auntie cousin L
Thanks, Lucy! I’m now back and it went beautifully. I miss him — we all do– but we are so close as a family and he’s in touch with us a lot. Much love to you and yours!
You are all on my mind and in my heart. Walked by your place yesterday afternoon, in case you were outside and I could catch you, as I don’t want to bug you during the countdown. Dreamed a great dream about David last night. It was autumn, and he was further along in his healing and feeling good, getting ready for a weekend trip to visit Oliver in DC. A really good dream. Give David a hug for me. Oliver, too.
Hang in there and you KNOW Im thinking of you. Launching Oliver is hard…but also an exciting new chapter for him. xoxoxoxox and always here if needed.
I send strength to you. There are no other words. Life is very, very hard sometimes.
Sandy, so true. Life is terrible and magnificent and salty and bitter and sweet, and all you can do sometimes is roll with the punches. XO
Beautiful, beautiful post, Sarah: From the words to the photos to the feelings you invoke in all of us who read your posts. Thank you for sharing. Good luck and big love to you all, especially DC-bound Oliver! 🌻❤️
Hey Hedi, how’d your drop off go? Ours was pretty smooth and the highlight was spending a little bit of time with Polly right before and after Richmond. Let me know how you’re doing! P.S. I heard you gave Polly some wonderful tips for her trip to France. Hurray!
“When one of your tribe is hurting, you all hurt.” No truer words can be said.
Please know your tribe extends to those of us ‘out here’ in cyberland. We’re hurting for you and your family and feeling helpless not being able to but right what is wrong in your lives.
Praying with all my heart that David sees good results from all the treatments, meds and love showered upon him.
All the best to Oliver on his new journey. He will do fantastic knowing he has the full support of his family.
Wishing you all better days ahead, with many, many more smiles then tears.
Lacy, you’re so sweet to take time out of your day to add cheer to mine. I just got back from D.C. and it was a wonderful trip. Sure hope we can meet up one of these days!
So many emotions 💗 stay grounded and remember all of the love that surrounds all of you.
Hey you. Yes, so much love. Hope to catch up soon!
Sarah—my heart continues to break for the wringer this damn cancer has put you through. We are traveling in our new (to us) 2016 Class c motorhome to visit my sisters in Ohio and Indy. Much love to all of you
💜💜❤️Elizabeth
Hugs, Love and Powerful Strength Dear Sarah!! Think of You and David often, Words Cannot Express the Weight of Your Heart!! Stand Tall, You’re An Amazing Woman!!
Cook Kathi
Kathi, I’ve been thinking about you. Want to meet up in Portland? I will bring you cookies. Email me at olivebred@aol.com!
Our love and prayers to you Sarah and all of your family. It’s hard taking our kids off to college, but it’s such an exciting step for them. Let tears flow, we all do it.
Sending positive thoughts to you all, and pray that the doctors visits are good
Xxoo
Leanne
Hey Leanne, thanks for reaching out! You must be so proud of your own kids and it’s wonderful to have such wise, compassionate people showing me the way during this time of transition. Hugs to you and your beautiful crew!
I had the wonderful blessing to have six wonderful children. Soooooo I know well those emotions running wild from your head to your heart and sometimes spending a while in your tummy. Sadly your emotions have been over taxed lately friend. Cheers Sarah! he will always be your baby. Now you get to watch from a distance(UG!) and see that little boy in the picture whose life at that time was measured in years, soar as the young man he is now, whose life is measured by cares. There are always these times in our lives (sometimes to many) but these are the times that make up character. A time to be proud, weak, relentlessly terrified and even needy. But thanks always for that warm overcoat over of memories you can pull over yourself at times like this to ward off the chills. while looking forward to being active in creating more! All I can say as an observer for even a short time is, i see a family whose back bone is strait n true, courageous stout n strong, yet movable to bend over backwards for each other and forward to express love and gratitude. Home with a heart so big your children will be sad when they leave and anxious to return. I’m sorry I may not have lifted you or calmed your anxieties , for those only time will do. For now I shall continue to pray for you and your wonderful family, Amore Amica!!!!!
Leonardo, thanks for taking the time out to offer words of comfort. I appreciate it so much. Hugs.
Thinking of you, dear Sarah, and sending much love.
Sandy
Love you dearest Auntie! Kisses and hugs aplenty. Hope our paths cross soon!
Sending much love to you all–what a beautiful, moving and intensely alive post.
Your cousin,
Amy xoxo
Thanks, dear Amy! Just got back from launching Oliver and it was wonderful. Are you on IG yet? If so, check out the cute picture of David and his ex on our front porch. Looking forward to seeing you hopefully soon!
Beautiful post. Let’s try to get together when you get the chance. I might have some fruit for you in a few weeks.
Thanks, Lisa. I’m looking forward to getting together!
Hugs hugs hugs Sarah ,what amazing people you must be to have such a great relationship with David’s ex ,your all in my thoughts everyday and with all the love being sent from all over the world you will get through this .we can’t be with you physically but you will feel our love giving you the strength to get through this difficult period ,lots of love Michelle x