A Great 76 Birthday

To be honest, with the terrible weather of all kinds happening here, it was hard to believe the sunny, 79 degrees, low wind, on my birthday. Lucille and I went out to eat lunch which is rare because of our weather changes. I have to wear a jacket every time I stick my head out the door and I have to be out of the cold, rain and winds which often hit 45-50 mph.

Words cannot express my thoughts and appreciation for many posts on the website, phone calls from all over the US, Canada, Germany and England. Jeff, my grandson in Denver called as he does twice a week to talk with me about 30 minutes each call. Beautiful cards, many with checks for the support of the website, beautifully written messages were greatly appreciated.

So, dear friends, I thank each of you with all my love I can muster for making my 76 birthday so special. Last year, I never expected to live to have my 76 birthday.

Lucille has to get me raised up each morning, dressed and taking all our strength to get me into my power chair. Since Dan, the Man, can't come in the mornings as he has to be in class by 7:00 AM at the university in Dallas, we are hoping we can last until his term is over at end of May.

To show how busy Dan is, last Monday we had snow - yes, snow in East Texas - so he got up at 4:00 AM - instead of 4:15 AM - for the drive to Dallas. He gets out of school at 12:30, then returning to the funeral home, he had to pick up two bodies at the hospitals, embalm the bodies. He went by his Dad's and brother's home to be sure they didn't need anything before coming to me. He lifted me to the elec lift on the toilet, then bathed me, massaged my aching back and shoulders. He left me to return to put his dad and brother in bed, to the funeral home to dress and casket the two bodies before he went home to study then try to get 3 or 4 hours sleep.

Last night, he kept me laughing with his instantly made-up songs and dancing around while taking care of me. What a blessing he has been to us and for all the work he does for us (like fixing my hospital bed, the air compressor of the toilet lift, misc electric/plumbing work needed at the moment.)

Thank you, everyone, for allowing us to be in your circle of friends.

Bless you all and may the future be good to us.

Jim and Lucille