This is a blissful pool of sibs I tell you.

Gage and Quinn and Luke (I say Lukey) and his older, much wiser sister Eliza. Three of the kids in this photo have ARPKD. Two of them are mine. All four of them are as wild as can be as they are in search of fun all the while keeping their weary parents on all ten toes hoping that what they end up destroying is owned by someone understanding. I had the privilege and pure joy to watch these kids bond in their once yearly (or twice yearly, if we’re lucky) visit.

I have just returned from my 5th PKD Conference in Washington, DC (we’re dry now, thanks for asking). And it was tiring and emotional. And it was fun and emotional. Because folks, I just can’t sit and watch a small group kids with ARPKD (these wild ones, plus a few more), one transplanted, the rest somewhere in the middle of stable and transplant ready and not be emotional. Knowing that one day soon I will pull out these pictures and say "See, they have kidneys just like yours. You are not the only one, and I bet they know exactly what you are feeling."

Priceless experience being able to help Gage and Quinn feel normal within their subset of PKDers. All because of the PKD Foundation. Can hardly find the words to say thanks for that one.

Edited to add: One of these days I will write an appropriate post about Luke, Eliza and Charlie’s mom, Kirsten. I’m not sure I can find the right words to say thanks. Luckily, that won’t stop me.