We’re coming up on Glenns Ferry, Idaho, a picturesque small town on the Snake River. The town was recently hard hit when the major employer announced that is was moving operations overseas and closing the plant there.

A little while ago one of the fellows I follow on Twitter (phil801) tweeted that he was at the hospital with his 2-year-old daughter getting blood drawn to check for leukemia. A bit later he said the results would be available this afternoon and they were on their way home. That was followed by information that the doc had called and they were to return to the hospital immediately. Then came the news that the baby was in an ambulance on her way to Primary Children’s Hospital for treatment of probable leukemia.

Interspersed were dozens of messages of sympathy, offers to help, and support. Here I am in a car in the middle of Idaho getting news about an emergency going in in a guy’s life. A guy I barely know, and then only through a meeting I attend each month in Provo. He’s well liked and respected and I also think highly of him.

Never-the-less, reading the news from Twitter on my cell phone was emotional. I feel some of his pain as we’ve been there, in that same hospital (as well as others) with our youngest son. It is a nerve-wracking, painful, emotional roller coaster. You hang onto every hopeful word from the medical staff while trying to ignore all the bad news.

I feel for you, my friend Phil. May the Lord’s blessings be with your daughter, your wife, your family, and you.