Relaxing - Not Yet

I hope that these summer days do not fly as fast as this past week! It seems as one event ends for the kids another starts. I wonder when we will all get to relax this summer.

Tom is doing well. His energy level is lower than he anticipates it to be. His physical therapist seems to be happy with his shoulder and arm range and motion. They will now concentrate on his neck area (the swelling still is apparent some days). Tom is sure enjoying being with the kids this summer. I am glad that they have time to spend with their dad. I really feel that we are all appreciating each other more this past year. The kids sure do show more affection this past year than I've seen before.

I have a friend at work that gave me a book last fall that is called "Streams In The Desert". It is a daily devotional book. It is designed to especially help those who are going through a difficult time in life. The other day I opened it up and read about how we sometimes try to walk around obstacles when we become discouraged and/or fearful. We would rather take the easy way around than walk through and face it. It also talked about physical ailment and how God can heal. I looked back at this past year and could identify with this devotional. In this past week I also found a poem in this book that I would like to share:

Be still! Just now be still!
Something your soul has never heard,
Something unknown to any song of bird,
Something unknown to any wind, or wave, or star,
A message from the Father's land afar,
That with sweet joy the homesick soul will thrill,
And comes to you only when you're still.

Be still! Just now be still!
There comes a presence very mild and sweet;
White are the sandals of His noiseless feet.
It is the Comforter whom Jesus sent
To teach you what the words He uttered meant.
The willing, waiting spirit, He does fill
If you would hear His message,
Dear soul, be still!

Amen

Summer

Well, school is officially out for summer break for the kids. They are loving the later bedtime and no homework! I tease them about homework at night and have volunteered to make some up, but so far nobody has wanted to do more than hang out for the last few days.

Tom has been busy also. He still has physical therapy 2 times a week. They really do a number on him because he comes home really sore. Tom has still had some rough nights. His breathing has become much more regular than I have heard since pre-op. Tom still tires easily. Even on the nights that he gets a full nights rest his energy has not been what it has once been. He does not admit to it much though. He has been trying to bicycle everywhere around town; good exercise, but it may also have something to do the with $4.00 plus gallon of gas!?

Thank you for the phone calls and e-mails. It really makes us feel good to know that there are so many people pulling for our family. I was thinking back on last year and how Tom almost cancelled a couple of his appointments because they were not convenient and how detrimental that could have been. I have always loved the Trisha Yearwood song "How Do I live Without You" and it has taken on a new meaning to me. We truly have been on a roller coaster ride and I hope the path does not have any loops ahead. I hope that we have a future with a smooth clear path. This weekend we have Fathers Days coming up and I think the kids and myself see this as more of a celebration than ever before. Happy Fathers Day my love!