1)So I went to see my Dad in the hospital a couple weekends back. It was maybe one of the saddest moments in my life. I had just seen my big strong Dad a few weeks before and now he was reduced to a tired old man in the same amount of time. He could barely stay awake to talk, he could barely eat, he could barely make a fist to hold anything. I stayed for a few hours but it was a rough visit. His usual habit of praying for me & Ell whenever we left his house was reversed when he asked me to pray for him. I thought it was fitting and was honored to do so, but when I tried I totally lost it. I couldn’t speak I was crying so hard. I was sad and scared and pissed all at the same time. I cried a good many more times on the long drive home from Columbus. He’s not better or even out of the hospital yet, but he’s able to have a conversation and do a few more things for himself. Keep him in your prayers, will you?
2)I have a disease. Degenerative Joint Disease. Fancy term for arthritis; for me it’s a viral arthritis. It snuck up on me two Sunday’s ago and at first I thought I had injured myself on a visit to Pittsburgh the Friday before. My ankles were swollen and painful but nothing else was wrong. By midweek that had changed. Everywhere I had a body joint: feet, ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists, hands… was sore to the point of out loud pain and by Saturday morning they were so stiff I could barely move at all. After she got home from her thirteen hour work shift (she’s such a trooper,) Ell took me to the emergency room where they confirmed a case of Viral Arthritis. It’s a strain that is an auto-immune issue and possibly only affects twenty and thirty year olds. Weird, right? Four hours later and a shot of steroids and they sent me home. It’s supposed to get better, but man this is some intense pain.
3)So you don’t think this whole thing will be about illnesses, here’s a happier story. My sister Ginny pulled off an awesome surprise birthday party for my friend, her husband, Mike. It was a blast. He turned the elusive 35 this year so she threw him a, “Mike for President” party since he is now eligible to be the USA’s big cheese. Have I ever told you how much I love surprises? Well, I do. L.O.V.E. them. (Even though I’ve never had one myself. Hint. Hint.) Ginny let me help her out with the preparations and it was so much fun to be a part of the event. Happy Birthday, Mike.
4)Guess what? We’re getting the internet back at our house this week. When we decided Ell was going to go to college, we cut every expense we could find so we could afford it. The internet was one of those cuts. Well she needs it for one of her final two classes so back it comes. It’s a might-bit pricier this time around too. Oh well, internet anytime I want it versus stealing it from faint coffee-shop signals. I guess that’s better. ;)
And there is my update. Peace.
