June 10 – It’s been some time since I've sent an update, largely because Leslie is speaking and writing for herself now. But, I had a picture I wanted to pass along, and so thought I'd write briefly about being home.

The photo below is from the Lab 4th grade end of year assembly. Leslie saved up (husbanded, if I may) her energy for a few days in order to be there and sign yearbooks, equally for the kids to see she was OK and for herself to bring closure to the school year. Many were amazed by Leslie's energy and stamina to be there; as the outsider, I was gratified and moved by her kids' and colleagues' response to her - her line of kids never dwindled and she closed down the party, signing for the last kids leaving the room. Her kids have worked overtime to produce a stellar array of cards, drawings and poems.

Leslie's staples came out today, and the doctors were impressed with how well the incision is healing.

Home is quiet. As we wait for next week's appointment to plot next steps, there isn't a lot to say, or perhaps there's a lot to leave unsaid. Still, we are finding a lot of comfort just being with one another, and I've opted to work at home more often than strictly necessary.

We've enjoyed visits, and are getting used to people doing things for us and feeling comfortable asking people to do things for us. Neither comes naturally for us, though I think this experience will change our understanding and practice of the mutual benefits of this exchange.

As we try to ensure that Leslie has help and company, that I get back into working, that Emily keeps up her babysitting gigs (she's in hot demand, good because she's saving for a car this summer), and that we keep up with day-to-day minutiae, we've enjoyed wonderful meals, transport assistance and errand aid (and M&Ms!!). For those from out of town, we love your calls and cards. Next week, Caroline and Emily's second mother, Katie, is coming up from Tennessee to "mom" for Leslie, so I can keep a planned work trip to Sao Paulo; Caroline will come home at the end of the week...just for Father's Day, of course.

All this is a marathon, not a sprint. Fortunately, one of us has experience with marathons, and we're trying to obey the advice of the great everyman's running coach, John "The Penguin" Bingham: "start slow and taper off."