1. I think I'm not going to win Mother of the Year based on this week. Neighbor-Nurse Rebecca says that Callum actually had the flu over the weekend, and Neel and I are now thinking we sent him back to school too soon. In hindsight I was too hard on him while he was sick, practically willing him to get better. Neel and Callum went briefly into school Thursday morning to gather some books and touch base with his teachers, and they were so understanding. Apparently kids are dropping like files. He came home and slept all day. He's not eating at all (even M&Ms!), and we'll likely keep him home today. He still isn't 100%, and baseball try-outs are tomorrow. Way to go, Mom.

2. I think I'm totally okay with giving myself a pass on this week's P52. Had you noticed? The theme was self-portrait (oh, great) with the underlying theme of honesty (super fun). Yeah, I just wasn't feeling it. I want to do it though, just not this week. I'm ordering a wireless remote for my camera, and that little bit of inexpensive equipment should help. Be on the look-out in the next days (weeks?).

3. I think I'm totally failing on this breakfast business. The side dishes are going pretty well, but breakfast, not so much. There are a couple of reasons. I'm not good at taking the time, for starters, and I just don't love breakfast food. At least not at breakfast. I love breakfast-for-dinner. Or brunch even! Anybody have any suggestions? What are you eating for breakfast?

4. I think it's pretty funny that my copy of Organizing the Disorganized Child was lost in a pile of magazines on the console table behind our sofa.

5. I think it's good I waited until today to write about Dr. Lewis again. The first thing I want to say to you, dear readers, is thank you. So many of you have held us and Dr. Lewis and his family in your hearts and thoughts this week. We have certainly felt buoyed up and cherished, and many of you don't even know us! This community is such a spectacular thing; it's hard to have the words for what it means to me. Leah wrote a stunningly poignant and beautiful post that touches on her own loss, all the while hoping to comfort us during our own, and nearly every day someone has reached out to check on me and Neel and make sure that we're over here, doing okay. Plugging away. It's early as I write this and Neel's not up yet, so I can't ask him how much it's okay to say. Let me say this much at least. I know he's very much touched by all of your concern. And he's plugging away.

Dr. Lewis's memorial service was on Wednesday, and for us and all who knew him it was a sad, sad day. We'd heard that the visitation on Tuesday had a line out the door of the funeral home, so we left early for the church on Wednesday, and even though we got there an hour before the service was to start, the place was almost completely full. It was an incredibly moving service in Dr. Lewis's home church among people who knew him well. Through his work as a ground-breaking pediatrician and an administrator at our local children's hospital and medical school, Dr. Lewis touched many, many lives. The euolgy was given by a fellow pediatrician who looked like BJ Honneycut from MASH, and he did a wonderful, sweet and funny job. I was touched, particularly, at the church, at how important ceremonies like this are to those of us who are left behind, and I was so grateful that the priest said, "Of course we're heartbroken." Dr. Lewis's wife, as Neel noted, looked crumpled. It was a beautiful, spring-like day, so Neel and I came home and took a long walk together. Neel handles these things in his own way, and the night before and after the funeral, he honored his friend by watching episodes of From the Earth to the Moon (a wonderful series that they both loved - if you have a chance to watch this, I really recommend it, and it's a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of our space program). I think about how sad and stunned we still are, and I think about his wife. I just can't believe he's gone.

I was not raised in a church, but I always find myself so moved when I am in one. Especially by the music. My mom, I think, can relate to this. Dr. Lewis was a graduate of the Naval Academy, and we sang the Naval Academy Hymn. It's a beautiful song, and seemed so fitting.

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who biddest the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard

And hushed their raging at Thy Word,

Who walked on the foaming deep,

And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood

Upon the chaos dark and rude,

And bid its angry tumult cease,

And give, for wild confusion, peace;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!

Our family shield in danger’s hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect us wheresoever we go;

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.