Thu Apr 17 13:35 EDT 1997
midweek update...

Thank you for your expressions of concern for my mother-in-law and
her family.  I want to bring you up to date after speaking with
my father-in-law last night.  Dad knows the probability of the
medical report, which they will get tomorrow from the doctor with
their daughter Faith (the nurse) present.  They have decided not
to pursue medical remedies (chemotherapy) but this does not mean
they have given up the fight.  Instead, they intend to pursue
alternate natural remedies.  I don't know all that it means but
it won't involve the havoc that radiation and toxins place on the
body.

Dad's testimony was beautiful. His faith in God is stronger than
ever. Yet, he is not in denial over the seriousness of his wife's
prognosis, nor has he painted himself into a false hope situation.
They will do what they can to arrest the cancer.  Dad and mom are
grateful for 46 years of marriage; their anniversary was last night.
He said if God chooses to call Millie home, he gives her over to Him.
To me, the answer was similar to Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego gave.
"God can save us if He chooses, but if not, we will not bow to your
idol, O Nebuchadnezzar." (Paraphrase)

Daughter #2 (Hope) has been down in New Jersey for the past few days.
Daughter #1 (Faith) arrives tonight.  I will be taking duaghter 3 (Joy)
down to New Jersey on Sunday to stay a week. (I will be traveling back
to Pepperell on Monday and returning on Friday to pick her up.)

We hope they will be able to successfully fight the cancer, but if not...
"we do not grieve as others who have no hope."
-------------------

On another note, Emily Pearl just today took FIRST PLACE in her school's
public speaking competition (for her grade).  Not bad for the new kid
in school.  (She is just indominable, I tell you.)

Andrew has his first little league practice yesterday, and I am becoming
quite a community man.  I have already envisioned little league swimming
parties at our place.  Some things must come to pass.

I went to lunch with Joy and some friends today.  Destination: McDonalds.
She made me buy a Happy Meal so that we could get Beanie Baby Babies,
the hottest toy to hit the American marketplace since Cabbage Patch kids.
In stores they run about $5.  The Cabbage Patch craze was around $40 when
things settled down.
---------------------

Again, thank you for your kind words of support.  The initial shock
has passed and I am sure some psychological buffering is going on,
but I'm grateful for that.  If you want to send email to my wife,
she is at JoyMet@aol.com and I have been easing her into the world
of technology (she's reading things when alerted to do so; writing
may come at some point).

Mark
                Mark Metcalfe   ______ ______  "He has showed you, O man,
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.  _/      Y      \_  what is good. And what does
  270 Billerica Road, MS 04  // ~~ ~~ | Micah \\  the Lord require of you?
      Chelmsford, MA 01824  // ~ ~ ~~ |  6:8   \\  To act justly and to love
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   metcalfe@candence.com  `----------`-'----------'  with your God."