A glorious spring morning seemed to inspire Ward to suggest we travel north to the botanical gardens in Boothbay ME. Great! Lets go! The four of us packed up snacks, coats and plenty of meds and headed out. Chris stayed behind with the three dogs to get some work done.
Mark and I had never been to the gardens but had heard about the visit last year when David and Karen Bergstrom and Ward and Joanne had been so impressed by its beauty. It was not a disappointment! Tulips higher than my knee in pinks, purples, yellow swayed in the warm breeze, delighting our eyes as we strolled along well-groomed paths. Poppy did great on the ride and we all enjoyed the spring flowers and impressive scenery.
Its been busy here in Kennebunkport. Last week, the Lepages arrived with a wave of energy, laughter and loving care. Henri, almost one, was crawling about in his typical adorable way and the older boys brought their loving attention and playfulness, the perfect medicine for all.
On Thursday, Ward started on his third round of chemo. We are praying for it to do its work. Madi is coming for a visit next week, in between classes at Dartmouth. The love and strength of this family is thick as thieves. Despite the challenging circumstances, blessings abound and your kindness and prayers are part of that.
With Gratitude, Shannon
Shannon, thanks for the beautiful words of this update …
So glad you all could enjoy the beauty of springtime … so glad the children and grandchildren were able to get north to share the time with Ward and Joanne …
hoping this new round of chemo works its magic … sending warm hugs your way…
Love,
Carol
Hi Ward and Joanne,
what a lovely day and to be with wonderful family members. Flowers always remind me of Mom, who loved to garden as well. I too and hopeful this round of chemo works its magic….As always, I send hugs and prayers and look forward to good news.
Effie
Dear Ward and Joanne- You are in our thoughts daily and we hope that this next round of chemo will bring wonderful results. Lots of love to you both, Jean and Ron
Thanks, Shannon, for your wonderful description – wish we could’ve joined you all, it sounded so nice. We have, however, mailed a daffodil to W & J!
Sending loving and healing wishes – and we too hope and pray that this round will turn things around.
Much love,
Tony & Margie
Dear Ward & Joanne, what a lovely note from Shannon! And the picture of you three and those glorious tulips! This comes with love and prayers for your health and well-being. Jane
Dear Ward and Joanne — Shannon is so right – the love in your family shines as if it were a beacon -Well, actually, it is! What a wonderful group and team you are, and those of us near you have always known that! We will pray that this new/old chemo works its magic for you–wonderful things can happen right in your own backyard! It was great to have a few minute to chat with Joanne yesterday while Anushka walked Jack — an Oreo cookie on somone’s lawn overcame Jack’s grip on the leash for a moment, but he’s still volunteering to “dog walk” and we’re both here for anything your hearts desire – and always, prayers! xxxxfrom just across the street
Thank you Shannon for sharing so beautifully the
glory of a Spring Day,with words, foto and Tulips
I think of all you wonderful Gambles more then you will ever Know.May the new Chemo treatment
bring very good results,This is my prayer for dear Ward.Much love to you,Joanne and to Ward,the
two of you who taught me so very much!Jutta
Reading, Shannon’s lovely description of the garden and your family circle, the words of an old hymn, came to my mind. You, Ward, probably know them by heart, but here they are-
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
John and I and the children send our love,
Deborah
I’ll be humming this all day, and doesn’t it just capture both the beauty of this spring and the love in Shannon’s post.
Dear Ward and Joanne,
What a beautiful, loving family you have! May this next round of chemo bring healing, strength and hope – you are in my prayers without ceasing. Shannon’s words and the photos continue to share your life with the many of us who are miles away – thank you all. Love, Martha Strohecker
Hi Everyone,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
We hope for success with the next round of chemo.
We miss you all.
Deb and John
Hi,
Ward & Joanne, do you remember 5/5/1994? I believe that was the Cinco de Mayo day we hiked Hermit’s peak, then ate at a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas, NV! What precious memories we have of the many fun times we have shared with you and your family!
Love
Karen and Mike
Good morning Ward and Joanne … may the day ahead bring you new strength and healing.
Love you.
Ward, Joanne, all of you,
The love in your family is so beautiful, it radiates out to so many of us, myself included. Thanks, Shannon, for sharing that lovely day in Boothbay. My prayers for you continue regularly.
Bev
Hello again. I’m starting my drive north tomorrow morning and plan on stopping by to see Leslie, David, and the boys in Virginia on Thursday … will give them all hugs for you and take photos to share with you. See you soon. Love you. Take care.
Carol
Love as thick as thieves – what a wonderful picture, Shannon! Thanks so much for including us in such a glorious outing.
Ward, when I came to St. Andrew’s, your homilies drew me in by modeling how you recognized God’s presence in your own life. (One such homilies was one on the Adoration, which you overlaid with the tale of your family gathered around then-newborn Madi.) Now the Gamble clan continues to share with us how you all find God’s presence in these times. Thank you.
You are all in my prayers.
Dulany
Love as thick as thieves – what a wonderful picture, Shannon! Thanks so much for including us in such a glorious outing.
Ward, when I came to St. Andrew’s, your homilies drew me in by modeling how you recognized God’s presence in your own life. (One such homily was around a lesson on the adoration of the newborn Jesus, which you overlaid with the tale of your family gathered around then-newborn Madi.) Now the Gamble clan continues to share with us how you all find God’s presence in these times. Thank you.
You are all in my prayers.
Dulany
hope you saw my pictures of Leslie and the boys…
hope they brought a smile to your face …
Thinking of you on this beautiful Sunday morning as Madi and Sandra continue on day 2 of the Dartmouth Relay for Life to raise money to help fight cancer … may the sun shine on us all and give us strength as we continue the battle.