Going into the operating room, it was not clear what the outcome would be. For the next 10 days as Teresa began the recovery process, I didn't waste any emotional energy on what was happening in the Bush-Kerry slugfest.

Four days after the surgery, Teresa went home to Ashland Wis., a town of 8,000 on the shores of Lake Superior. One of her neighbors, an older woman, had come to help Teresa's husband take care of the children while Teresa was in the hospital and recovering at home. Other neighbors brought food, took the younger kids to the park, drove them to choir practice and flag football and showered love on the family.

Air hockey and cartoons
There were lighter moments, too. One day, Barbara and I took the three younger kids (ages 4, 6 and 9) to the community center, where we played air hockey, bounced and kicked a soccer ball in the gym and watched a cartoon. Then, we decided to walk to the Golden Glow Ice Cream Parlor about six blocks away. By this time, Matty, the 4-year-old, was really tired so his sister had to carry him on her back. He has a form of dwarfism and is not very heavy.

About a block from the ice cream place, I mentioned I was going to walk back to the house to get the car. The 6-year-old protested because he liked papa better and wanted me to go with him. The kid is smart because it's papa who usually pops for the ice cream, but on this day I didn't have any money. Barbara smiled at being scorned and explained she'd be happy to walk back for the car, but papa did not have any money — she had the loot. With that, she was voted the most likable. Kids are wonderful.

The biopsy came back "clean" and Teresa is recovering nicely. Nanni and papa hugged each other with joy at the good news.

Frank Burge is a contributing columnist for EE Times.