Bittersweet; April 2, 2008

Pallbearers leaving the Pittsburg, California chapel.Left side: Marty Bruch, Colten Dayley, Clayton Dayley, Dan Dayley
Right side: Larry Dayley, John Dunn, Mike Dunn, Nicholas Dunn

Martha, Marty and Rachel

Me with Michele and Rolan--Sweethearts both!

Brandon's good friend Traci, Martha, Soren, Chantel and Austin. Traci and Austin were conversing using American Sign Language. Brandon was becoming fluent in sign before he died.

Hanging Out

I just spent the last several days at Marty's and Sheila's in Burlingame. Every night Marty lit a fire for us, either in the living room or the outside barbeque. Dinner was sheer pleasure sitting down together in the dining room with big band or jazz playing in the back ground. I love that family. They have been through hell the past year but seem to be coming back to a new normal now that Andrew has finished chemo and he's finally eating and putting on weight again. He is both precious and precocious.The other night he said, "Mom, I think I'm coming back!" He loves nothing more than to "prep" for dinner by washing and cutting vegetables, setting the table, and helping to serve the food. Family mealtime is really important to that little guy. When he's in charge, we sit where he directs. Samantha is an amazing young woman also. She works, attends jr. college, saves money, and has good relationships with everyone in her family. She is fun to talk with and has a strong element of common sense about her.

Andrew is a fabulous artist. The family room wall is covered in art that Andrew created. Most of it looks like it came from a gallery, honestly. Some pieces are painted while others are collaged and still others are 3-dimensional. Yesterday we shopped at Michael's together, picking up scrapbooking paper, stickers, clay, clear glass ornaments and other supplies. I'm on an art kick myself, I guess because of the holidays, but also because I discovered through an art class recently at the Wellness Center (cancer related) that art can be very therapeutic.

Drum Roll...

Wish I felt as good now as I did last week when these were taken. I'm having so much fun with short hair that when mine falls out and grows back, I may never go back to long hair again. John went with me to get my hair cut. The first place was a no. "Too much BUH (Big Utah Hair) and too rigid. The second place was just right. I felt a connection to Linda, the woman who helped me. She did a great job. When John email's me the photos he took, I'll post them as well. How I love my family!

Last Night

Marty came over and stayed the night. John had flown out from Utah, then Larry decided to stop by. Suddenly, I was in a room full of people who love me, and people who love each other. When "the boys" get together, there is mighty laughter and lots of story telling and reminiscing. At one point in the evening, I was lying on the couch with my head on Larry's lap, listening to these men--Larry, Mike, Marty and John. Rachel and I contributed some, but the joy was in listening to them and their laughter, the power of oral tradition to strengthen a family, and all of it motivated by love. I thought to myself, "This is a healing experience all by itself."

Catching Up is Hard to Do

Graduation weekend--fantastic. Rates right up there with Chantel's wedding and Owen's and Soren's births. The day was gorgeous. The energy I felt, (once I stopped crying and before we marched) was amazing. Such an honor to walk with my good friend Sarah. And what a sweet surprise to see Larry and Clayton making their way past the line in search of me--hugs and and a last minute, "We're proud of you," before the campanile began to ring for a solid minute, announcing the approaching graduates. Chantel and Brandon had found the best seats; I got to walk right past my family and even give Soren a kiss on the way. There isn't one part of the ceremony that stands out as the best part--it was all wonderful. But I will always remember waiting for my turn to cross the podium for my diploma, looking out across the audience and seeing my family--Larry, Brandon, Chantel and Soren, Clayton, my brother Marty, Mike and Rachel, and my friend Marilyn, all smiling and cheering me on with such joy in their beaming faces. I felt so much love from them. I'm a Mills woman! A graduate of the class of 2007. Wow. A long time for this dream to come true, but worth every bit and more. Truly, I am a blessed woman.

Bruch Update and Recipe

Yesterday after church, I drove over to Burlingame and spent the day with Marty and his family. I enjoyed being with them so much! Andrew is so tiny. He is in the 3rd grade and weighs 38 lbs right now. The feeding tubes have been invasive and not very effective, so this week the doctor's are going to put a tube right into his stomach. They want Andrew to gain 10 pounds. Samantha is an amazing young woman. She graduates from high school this Spring. Today she is going to take Andrew bowling. He has been sick and not able to leave the house for quite some time. The way Sam spends time with Andrew reminds me of how close Tel and Clayton were, although the age difference between Sam and Andrew is greater. Please keep the little guy and his family in your prayers.

Last night I brought food and cooked dinner for us. Sheila set the table and Marty (in his gracious, Southern-training fashion) put on some wonderful music and lit candles. Here's the recipe for what I cooked, which Marty insists belongs in a restaurant!

Pecan Crusted Chicken Breasts

Make a small batch of cornbread. Marie Callendar's is my favorite but Jiffy is good too. Do NOT use a homemade recipe that calls for baking powder--too bitter and not worth the effort.

Melt 2 sticks of butter (what else?) in a bowl or pan large enough for dipping chicken breasts. Set aside.

Grind fresh pecans in a food processor until you have 3 cups.
Add 3 cups of crumbled cornbread (about 1/2 of an 8x8 pan, or several muffins)

Add 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning salt.

Cut skinless, boneless chicken breasts into 2 or 3 pieces each. Dip in butter, roll in pecan/cornbread mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. This will make a full pan. Drizzle any remaining butter over chicken. Press any remaining pecans on breasts. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Prepare a salad of baby spinach and romaine lettuce, English cucumber, fuji or another sweet type of apple(not grannysmith), dried cranberries, figs, or golden raisins, and feta, gorgonzola or another like cheese.

To serve, mound salad on plate, place warm chicken breast on top and drizzle with raspberry or balsamic vinagrette dressing. Delicious! (I'm sure this would be great for ranch dressing lovers as well).