I was told by a friend of mine who lost a son, that you never get over it. If you are fortunate, you learn to live with it.

Sometimes people in their attempts to console family members will say that time heals all pain.

I personally don't think that time will ever fill the void left by losing a family member, or the pain of it.

In fact, I don't want to heal if it means forgetting. There are a lifetime of memories, each one as precious as another.

I am beginning to understand what my friend means.

Our family is very blessed to have a strong network of friends. Last year when Freddy died, Pat, Krl and myself were all in Abilene. Immediately we were concerned about "support" for family. We made provisions for my early release from the medical facility and began making a feverish trek westward to Roscoe. When we arrived at our parents, we were relieved to walk in to a house filled with friends and a constant flow of people bringing supplies and food. I am sure that I will probably forget someone but as my recollection serves, there were Marsha and Tonya in the kitchen, Ronnie and Ramona in the living room, Joe Brad floating about seeing to everyones needs. These people were the first responders, arriving within a brief time of the news spreading through the community. Throughout the day, a steady stream of well wishers and concerned friends flowed in and out of the house.

You friends will never know how much we appreciate you! Thanks!

After much deliberation, my trip to Cozumel is off. Thursday I went to see the surgeon and he wasn't overly concerned. He said he saw no problem in going, that either I could go as I was or he could open up the problem incision, clean it out and pack it and I could still go. The biggest problem would be the need of sterile saline solution for washing and flushing the wound before repacking and bandaging daily.

I don't know about you but I have no desire to go to Mexico and have a problem and have to deal with a doctor down there.

I told the surgeon that I felt "really" poor. He told me it wasn't the incision site, it was the antibiotic and the large dosage I am on that is making me feel bad. He said the antibiotic is some pretty nasty stuff!

When I arrived back home, I got to thinking about what I was doing going to a resort island when my medication cautions against being in direct sunlight. I did some calculations and Thursday would be my first med free day while I was there so I see no need in going, especially when I factored in the pain and discomfort.

I told Krl that she could go because she was responsible for talking her brother and his wife in to going. Luckily for us, we took out the insurance just in case we couldn't go. (You just never know when you book a trip six months in advance). Unfortunately, they didn't.

Rian, Erica and the boys are at Pat and Hag's lake place this weekend. Rian has been battling with himself, he is so tired of school. Since the conclusion of the school year and the mass exodus of all the teachers, his schedule has been filled with workshops and paperwork. I am sure it is no consolation that all the people that are there are he and his supervisory principal along with their secretaries and the janitorial staff. Of course he has one week left to fulfill his contract and then he will be off about five or six weeks. He gets out next Friday and leaves Saturday with his church campers.

It is kind of funny because of all the lake places Rian has stayed at, Pat and Hag's place is still the favorite from when he was a teenager! Best part is the lake is full!

Have a day!