Steve's Posts

We've been home for a few days, and Steve is doing amazingly well! A couple of days he's gone to lunch at SACC and played dominoes. One day he even won! (It's pretty sad when your dad & one of your best friends beat you!) Steve needed a haircut so badly that he let me drive him to his appointment. I'm sure he caught up on some local gossip while there. It's good for Steve to get out - then, come home and take a nap. Braden left on Wednesday with the words, "Well, Dad, if I'd known you were going to do so well, I wouldn't have used my vacation to come down here. I thought you might need me or something." I've heard that it takes a villiage to raise a child. Well, I think it takes a passel of kids to raise a couple of parents!! Our kids have stepped up to the plate on this one. The ones who could, were there, the ones who couldn't be there, called, e-mailed & texted frequently to voice their support. Likewise, our friends, family & neighbors have called, sent food, kept in touch via computer, checked on things at home & at the ranch, etc. Steve and I have been overwhelmed by the love and support we have felt from all of you. This afternoon, Steve said that he would like to drive out to the Double J and Rivier Lake Ranch tomorrow to check on things. Since Shelley and George are coming home this weekend, I guess he is hoping that one of them will drive. He says that riding with me is worse than heart surgery! Life is getting back to normal. Once Shelley gets here with Picasso & Toby, the peace and quiet will be over. Hopefully, there will soon be presents under our now empty Chirstmas tree. We plan to have 6 of our 7 kids home over Christmas, and that will be great. We are looking forward to our best Christmas ever. I hope that Santa Claus brings you everything your heart desires for Christmas. I know that I got what I wanted the most!! Merry Christmas, Happy Shopping & Cheers! Jody

We made it home just before dark. It started snowing just just this side of Brady and by the time we got home it was sticking pretty good. I'm exhausted, but glad to be home at last. Jody is beating me to bed because I'm posting this. She has been my rock thru all this. I love her so much. Sons Braden, George and Garrett (also Abby and Billye) were team members too. They all pitched in. The other members of our brood would have been there if able. Their moral support from afar was heartfelt (no pun) too say the least. Also, all the wishes for speedy recovery, prayers, posts to my guestbook each had a hand in my easy go so far. Son Braden, 4th yr. resident in orthpaedic surgery at Duke Medical Center, says he has never seen anyone progress this rapidly. Now, I need to be careful not to try too much in the weeks ahead. Don't want to do this again! I'll post more later, but maybe not every day. Need to see how things are tomorrow. Now it's "to bed".