Now I lambie down to sleep...

For the longest time I truly thought there was a prayer about my beloved Lambie. And yes, I still have Lambie - newly repaired thanks to Mama Clarke for her creative-surgery and cloak.

But with all seriousness I would like to ask you for your prayers. My nephew, Niall, has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you who don't know what CF is, I enclosed a copy of WebMD's definition.

"Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes mucas in the body to become thick and sticky. This glue-like mucus builds up and causes problems in many of the body's organs, especially the lungs and pancreas. People who have cystic fibrosis can have serious breathing problems and lung disease. They can also have problems with nutrition, digestion, growth, and development. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis and the disease generally gets worse over time.

The life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis has been steadily increasing over the past 40 years. On average, people who have cystic fibrosis live into their mid-to-late 30s, although new treatments are making it possible for some people to live into their 40s and longer."

Knowing those statistics, it's very hard on my family right now. Brian and Loni are doing the best they can and being proactive. Even though signs won't appear within the first couple of years, they are already starting Niall on a vitamin and researching CF centers to find the best care.

Niall is currently with Loni in California, visiting her parents. It was extremely difficult to get him out for fresh air in bitterly cold Idaho. Plus they were finding it hard to get the right vitamin for Niall in/around Sandpoint.

Right now Brian is struggling with this news all alone (the dogs are in CA, too). Luckily he has the restaurant and his band recordings to keep him busy. He'll be flying to CA next week so he can be with Loni and Niall for Easter and then they'll all return to Idaho the following week.

There is a bit of good news with this terrible disease. The doctors say that Niall will be able to attend a typical school and be active in sports. There is no reason why he should not be able to live a fulfilling life. He has wonderful parents and a huge loving family. We have been receiving a bunch of support and hearing success stories from friends who have encountered CF within their own families.

Plus, what better father than a percussionist to do all the chest percussion?

May God bless you, little one.