Viva Las Vegas

My family spent the weekend in Vegas.

My brother who lives in Vegas was diagnosed with colon cancer late last year. He started chemo three weeks after Christmas. It has been a difficult time for him and for his family (a beautiful wife that we all adore, five sons ranging in age from on-a-mission to second-grade, and a surprise little girl who is 18 months).

A wise Heavenly Father knew that they all needed a diversion.

Someone in my brother's stake decided to produce a stake-wide production of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.' This is especially delightful because Joseph is my family's musical. My oldest brother's junior high school band played the music to Joseph in the early '70s, and my mom was intrigued. She ordered an 8-track of the original London cast, and we all fell in love. I have known all the words to every song in that musical since I could speak. And, the best part is that I know them with a British accent. I have seen Joseph 5 times - from Spanish Fork High School in 1990 (I went twice) to a Draper City production when I was a newlywed (the best Joseph I've seen. Sorry, DO) to Donny Osmond (and I even had backstage passes. Yes, he's nice.)

So, my brother and his son tried out for Joseph. My nephew was cast as Benjamin, and my brother was cast as the Pharaoh. We were thrilled to go. In addition to my little family, my mom, my sister and her family, and 3 of my brothers and their families all made the trip. We stayed in the same hotel, swam in the pool, ate good food, and then went to see the play.

It was well done. The costumes and scenery looked great. Some people were more talented than others, but everyone was having fun. And the best part was my brother. He was incredible. His Elvis wig hid his patchy hair, he hit every note perfectly, and he danced, too! It was amazing! I bet nobody could tell that he's lost 40 pounds in the last three months. Nobody could tell that he wasn't healthy and vibrant, that he's been pumped full of drugs that almost kill him to kill the disease he has. He stole the show.

It was a miracle in glittery blue high-tops and a sparkly jumpsuit/loincloth.

And, we're all thankful for the diversion. I think it will help him, them, all of us keep going for three more rounds of chemo. It was the tenderest of mercies.