The "Chubby" Buddies

One of John's hardest moments in this journey has been telling his fellow workers that he has cancer. 

John has been a part of the company for 40 years. That's a long time. He has spent so much time there that I believe these guys are not just his co-workers but his extended family. 

When he talks of work something comes alive in John. Work is in his blood and these men are a part of that bloodline.

It was never so evident than in these past few weeks. John came home from work that sad day, tired, emotionally spent from the telling of his story....yet he came home with a renewed hope. The joy of knowing that he is surrounded by a bunch of guys that truly care. The tears that some of the men shared, the pats on the back and the words of encouragement brought those slumped shoulders back up. The weight of cancer had been lifted somewhat by the caring support from the boys at work. The "Chubbies"....

John has always had a bad memory for names  and so through the 40 years of being there, with men coming and going, everyone at work is called "chubby." He loves to tease and so it doesn't matter if you are six foot tall and skinny as a rail, or a short husky guy, you are "chubby."

Those "chubbies" all came together on Sunday March 25th, and showed my Johnny just how much he's valued, as an employee, a fellow worker and a friend. We arrived at the Whistling Walrus for a breakfast with what we thought would be a bunch of the guys from work. I stood amazed as more and more of his co-workers arrived. Although it would have been impossible to count, I heard that the numbers were in the fifties! 

Guys are pretty practical, not all mushy like us girls, and so many practical needs were met through the generosity of these amazing guys. A financial need was met for us in a huge way! But if you will allow me to get mushy for a moment, because I AM a girl, so am entitled to this privilege, I was blessed to witness so much more that morning.

What I saw was a bunch of men in a room, with hearts opened so wide that it was like a  healing oil being poured over my husband. Many times, throughout that morning I would just stand and watch him from a distance , watch as each and every one of these amazing men would speak a kind word to John, place a strong hand on his shoulder or bring laughter to his worried soul. John's eyes lit up and his jaw set out to hold in those precious tears. 

As I glimpsed into my man's heart that morning I think I saw an overflow of joy spilling over into his body...a healing oil that only the "chubbies" could bring. 

Thank you all for blessing us so incredibly! :)

 Phillipians 1:3 & 4 

Every time we think of you, we give thanks to our God. Whenever we pray, we make our requests for all of you with joy.