As mentioned, Sam wanted everyone to jump in the pool with their clothes on for his birthday. Why? Who knows. This kid is the product of some very goofy genetic code. We will likely be repeating this next year. Better to preserve a relatively tame tradition than to leave it open to his creative imagination to come up with something that might be more daunting. As promised, here is the video.
Today is Sam’s birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Carroll are here. The weather is great. I think Sam picked a perfect day to join us 6 years ago. This is also the 1 year anniversary of my dad finishing his chemotherapy. It’s already been “one of those weeks”, but as I type this I know that things are ok.
Stay tuned because one of Sam’s wishes for his birthday is that everyone is to jump in the pool with their clothes on. I’m not kidding. I think this is best served by video.
My friends at work, or more precisely, my boss Lori sent me a birthday treat. There is about 15,000 calories in this thing and there is no way my family will be able to eat this thing…nor should they.
This cake is made by some crazy lady in Maine. First a picture of her. These cakes do not do my gift justice.
Next….look at this thing. Stop by for cake anyone!
Yes….ALL of that white creamy stuff is frosting. Look away!!
I’ve been reminded that I kind of promised to post, like, every day, so here ya go.
Jen is doing better. Her heart “issue” and “tissue” is 50% regenerated. She’s a bit disappointed not to hear that she is 100% back to normal. I think the rest of us would be surprised to hear that she was ever 100% normal. Keep thinking good luck thoughts and hopefully she can put this behind her soon.
Dad seems to be doing fine back in Orion. There is some rumblings of shoulder pain and a cold, but heck, those almost sound like normal issues.
I wrote this whole long thing about it being rainy and not liking the rain today, but it kept getting goofier and goofier as I typed. In general I find rain the more annoying of the weather conditions.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I like the idea of being congratulated on my arrival. I think this is one of the few “holidays” that makes sense to me.
In preparation for the celebration of my birthday I am going to the library. Rumor has it that I may be receiving the gift of reading time tomorrow. Good thing I read fast. Wish me luck.
On August 29th the best thing I can write about is the person behind the man, behind the “WLL” blog. My Mom. It’s her birthday today. A while back she told me the best thing I could get her for whatever holiday it was, was write a letter to her. I’m not going to use this as a replacement for a letter, but I do want others to read some things I have to write about her.
I’m almost sure that without my mom, Larry might not be here with us today. She will tell you she wishes she had seen this, and done that, but I have no doubt that without her care and concern that things would be much worse than they are, or were. My mom has always been the caretaker of “this is what you should do” to the point that we all give her a hard time about nagging us about doctors, dentists, and everything else. The thing we sometimes miss is that she wants everyone to be the best that they can be and not to suffer or be hurt in any way. As an adult with two growing kids I have no idea how she managed all the things she managed while we were growing up. I had the childhood dream. I played baseball, soccer, went to Cub scouts, camped, hiked, boated, skied, mowed the lawn, slept in a tent in the backyard, had a pool, had a paper route, walked to school, made snowmen, rode my bike all over town, all because of my parents and very much because of my mom. They made sure I had such opportunities growing up to do so many things that I apparently decided to grow up and take my family on the adventure of a lifetime these last 6 months. So…if you get a chance, drop Wilma an e-mail or give her a phone call on her birthday. She is a special person to me and if you are reading this it’s likely that she is special to you also.
309-526-3505
Love you Mom,
Jon
Welcome to Larry day. I’m going to dedicate this last day of chemo treatment to him, a celebration of his end to treatment and a beginning of getting better. I think I’m obligated to mention, again, that is is also Sam’s birthday and he is happy that it is shared with the above. I asked Sam what day it is today, thinking that he knows it is his birthday and telling us he is going to be 5 today…he said “It’s last day of chemo day!!” That’s pretty cool.
Here are my collection of wishes / comments so far from friends, family, and strangely….just some people. I’ll explain that one later. Most of these are from my facebook account, but I will update this post all day long with new stuff as it comes in. To add your comments / wishes / thoughts to this page, just e-mail me at joncarroll01@gmail.com.
My initial entry on facebook:
Wendy Rogers Worley I am happy for that too! Go Uncle Larry!!!
John Longo Good thoughts for Larry - (friend of mine from college – fraternity brother who remembers my dad)
Jay Parrott Jon, my thoughts are with you and your family. (another fraternity brother who met my dad)
Beth Wrenn YAY! We love Larry!!!!
Paris K. Krupnik Hope he is OK Jon! Been there, done that. 21 year Cancer survivor. (old casino friend)
Dear Dad C.,
Gratulerer med dagen! This is Norwegian for Happy Birthday on Sam's 5th and your 1st birthday. It's been a long and difficult past year, filled with the frightening unknown and many tough days, but now...today...a new and healthy year begins! Today, when you leave that final chemo treatment, hold your head high and yell out "CHEMO SCHMEMO!" Sure, you'll scare the hell out of everyone, but that's part of the fun, isn't it? Just kidding. The fun part is that chemo is finished and you can concentrate on beating this thing. That's the plan - adios, sayonara, see you later, alligator. So anyway, I am so proud of you for getting through this rough time, and am looking forward to celebrating next year's birthday...did you say we're going to run a marathon???
With much love,
Jen
Jon,
Tell your dad congratulations from all of us in the Farwell clan!
Ed Farwell
Pat and Leo So happy this day is here. Go do things and enjoy yourself. Come to Kc and see everyone here. Love Pat & Leo
We are Jim & Gloria Howley friends of Larry & Wilma from our USMC days in Albany, Georgia. Please tell your parents Congrats on the final treatment, Semper Fi, never give up, keep up the good fight and our prayers are with you & your family. (Go Red Wings!)
Marc Carlson - Way to go Larry, keep up the good fight!
The Godfrey Carrolls say “Happy Day” to Larry and Sam. We will be to Orion soon to celebrate this wonderful day. So, be looking forward to the carrot cake and ice cream. We are so proud of you!!
Larry, Wilma, Jon, Jen, and all the other Carroll crew. It is great to be writing a letter to say:“ Way to go Larry and family for fighting this together and supporting each other !! “ I am eagerly awaiting a planned Locander invasion at the Carroll household in Orion where we can sit back eat some food, and make fun of Jon and his exploits over seas. I really have enjoyed the updates of the life as a homeroamer and sometimes laughed a little while reading the daily entry. I never lost sight of the true inspiration for this blog which was to support a good friend and respected family during a tough battle. Keep us all informed on any updates. The Locanders will be in Orion soon with hungry appetites, and visions of the 2009 Chicago Cubs dream season.
See you soon …Mike
Just wanted to send our best wishes to Larry and Wilma and all of their families. We are so glad that Larry is doing well and finally done with the Chemo. We know it can be really rough on Larry, but also the family. Great job is getting everyone through this. We are looking forward to seeing Larry and Wilma in Gulf Shores.
Your buddy's from Michigan and LA (lower Alabama) .
Al and Pam Mason
Some pictures to commemorate the day….Most of them have both Sam and Dad. Those are the ones I can get from Holland. Send more if you want them posted!
Well I finally checked in on Orion and everything is as expected. Quiet. I’m not sure where to put the final exclamation on the end of chemotherapy. I think we will wait until it is over tomorrow and make a big splash. I know the end of chemotherapy brings with it other things and doesn’t necessarily solve all problems, but it is a good start.
It will probably take a few weeks to recover from recovering. So on May 19th 2009 on his grandson’s birthday I declare a new birthday. I know it is short notice, but I’m sending an online birthday card…
Starting right now I would like to collect a bunch of wishes from you guys and I will post them all tomorrow on this blog. Send them to me at joncarroll01@gmail.com and I will put them on the page tomorrow. Mobilize people!!!
Guess what? I forgot to mention the other day that my dad only has 3 chemo treatments left!!! I had lost track over time and worry. So there is one more treatment this month on April 21st.....and then a couple more finishing on or around May 19th. This would be cool enough on its own, but here is a cool bonus. May 19th is Sams birthday. I have no doubt that Samuel Lawrence Carroll will enjoy sharing his birthday with a celebration for his grandpa. 
