Good day.

Hello all,

Well, another day down and only three more to go, hopefully. We are still planning on being discharged on Wednesday. If they could go ahead and do something with his eye on Wednesday or Thursday, we would try to stay the extra time to get that taken care of. We should know something more about that tomorrow.

It was another beautiful day here in Chicagoland. Bucky took me down to the hospital yesterday and then our friends, Chuck and Barbara picked me up and we met Bucky and Melody for dinner. It was very nice. Today Barbara picked me up and took me down to the hospital and stayed most of the day with me. Bucky and Melody then came and picked me up, we had dinner and now we are home. We took John outside both days; the weather was so beautiful. I think he really enjoyed being outside.

John is so funny and continues to have such a great attitude. That means so much to all of us. One of the nurses said, "What are we going to do without you, John? It will certainly be different." This surgery has been so much different in many ways. He has never been agitated, he seems to take everything in stride and he is just so easy-going. I am so thankful for all of these things. This makes my life as well as his, so much easier.

Yesterday he said, "Are you excited about Christmas?" I said, "Well, I guess, I'm justing wondering how I will get everything done." He said, "I already have my Christmas gift: I'm alive." I thought that was just so touching. He is so thankful that things are as good as they are. Sure, he has some residual effects, but he is not focusing on those at all; he is just appreciating the good things. God bless him! He has been such a blessing to me and to all of us. He is such a joy. We continue to praise God for His wonderful mercies. "They are new every morning," and we are so thankful for each new day.

We hope all goes well with Van this week and we are certainly going to pray extra hard for him, Delores and their family. We also continue to pray for Glenda Mitchell, Greg Vaupel, Mickey Owen and others who are in need or hurting.

Charlotte, we received Heather's card with her special surprise in it for John. Thank you, Heather; John thought it was great. We also received cards from Suzanne's class at church. John really enjoyed each one of those and how sweet they all were. Again, we are so thankful for all of you and your kindness and thoughtfulness.

We are counting down the days and "if the good Lord's willin' and the creeks don't rise," we will hopefully see all of you very soon. Take care and know that we are thinking about you and excited to see you. We love you.

Cathy