Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somehow I just felt I should trudge up the stairs and turn on the computer. It was well worth the effort. Oh dear, here come the tears....but they are joyful ones. Love, love, LOVE!!!!! j

Ha! Take THAT, John Kerry!!

GREAT NEWS about your progress, Don! I have to say we also were walking the halls of the hospital today for a "first walk" with our daughter Marin who had a difficult delivery and is slowly recovering on 5-S. There for awhile, I thought we might be joining you in ICU over the weekend, but that is now all behind us and the future is brighter for both her and Max... our new grandson!
I must admit that I have been tempted to come see you, but I know how important it is to keep vistors to just family for a time. So as we come to stay with her, I send those "in house prayers" to the left and up to your room and then turn right to hers.

Keep up the good work.

Marcia

Praise God from whom ALL Blessings flow!

How is Kim doing today?

Lovingly,
Bobbi

Carol Garguile told us about the website. So glad to hear that you are doing well, Don. What a great base of support and love you have with you in the hospital. We will be keeping tabs on you and hope you will be home soon. Our love to you and to all of your family. Bob and Dova

Greetings to all the McClellan family! My family and I have been out of town/out of touch for most of the month. I just checked my emails today for the last couple of weeks. I've done a lot of reading, smiling, crying, reflecting, admiring.

My first thought is that Donel, you are always teaching. In health and sickness, you teach us all how to be more faithful-by your words, your emotions, your living. How blessed we are to have you as our preacher, our role-model, our friend, our family.

As a nurse, I would always try to comfort those I cared for(patients and families)as best as I knew how. After reading through all the blogs & comments, I have an urge to hold your hands, squeeze your shoulders, rub your heads. I realize these actions comfort me as well. Thank you for providing this way to let you all know how we all support you. We know we can't physically be with you. It would be completely overwhelming. But we love being able to send you our words, thoughts, and prayers.

Oh, and on a lighter note-when a doctor or nurse says something might be a little "uncomfortable" or "hurt a little bit", be forewarned they are ALWAYS making understatements! I suggest you go for the pain killers whenever they are offered! Then, you can cough and sit up and walk when instructed.

Along with everyone else represented here on this journal, I send my love, my prayers, my congratulations, my joy, and my looking forward to your unique spin on this journey.
Love,
Veronica Douglas

This is the good news! Your first post-op walk and being freed of wires and tubes is a huge milestone in your recovery - my heart sings tonight. You are so blessed, Donel, to be surrounded by such a loving, courageous, and competent family. I look forward to hearing your "voice" in cyberspace soon. Sleep loose tonight.
Love,
Janet

Dear Donel,

After such a positive day yesterday I figure you're ready for some romance today! No, I'm not going to send over a copy of Danielle Steele's latest book. Instead I want to tell you what's been happening with my 82 year old Mother in that department since my Dad died at the end of April.

As you know she is a member of the Lions Club. At the club there is a 90 year old German taxidermist who has been hitting on her. He whispers sweet nothings into her ear (have you ever wondered what a sour nothing would sound like?), his Moments of Happiness often have to deal with her becoming more beautiful each week, etc. You get the picture. Now this gentleman was knockin' on death's door about a year ago. He was knockin' hard too. However, I think he figured if he could outlast my Dad he would have a chance to win my Mother's heart. So far she has spurned his advances. Which brings me to this . . .

A few weeks ago we were telling my Mother about a relative of a relative who at age 80 was being released from prison. She asked what he had been in for. We replied, "Murder." She then asked, "Who did he kill?" We replied, "His wife." She then said, "So, he's single?!"

Okay, enough of this foolishness. In honor of love this am I want to applaud Marilyn for her saintly support and love for you for many years. What a lucky man you are to have such a partner. Blow her a kiss from all of us as we celebrate with your family the progress you are making.

One warning: If you see a harpist come down the hall be sure and put a "Do not disturb" sign on your doorknob and close the door, tight. You can always prop up a chair against it too. You don't need any harp music. Marimba would be far more appropriate!

TaTa,

Jennifer

Hallelujah - shouts from the Porters also. What wonderful "steps" towards recovery. Four days is a long time to be off your feet, we hope that the doctors are happy with what's going on inside you too. Continued prayers for your healing. Love, Dick and Kay.

Goodest Tuesday morning,

What wonderful news today! To be tube, hose, and shackle-free must be divine, and to go strolling, heavenly. Every day brings steps big and small toward wellness. There begins to be a cumulative effect. Dare I call it exponential?

Marilyn, dear Marilyn, a word to you. You have been love's quiet sentinal, the very embodiment of a guardian angel. We who view from a distance send our deepest appreciation for your private and ever-present witness. May God's healing light surround you, too.

Love to you both,
Nancy

Don:

"Glory be to God for dappled things -
For skies of couple-color as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings . . ."

I see you newly dappled and dimpled with surgery puckers, up and about in hospital halls, soon to be adding your own poetic lines to these.

We're off to Ashland in a couple of days, but we'll take along the laptop to keep track of you.

"The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness..."

Among the many things I thank you for, one is the long ago introduction to GMHopkins.
Bob

Dear Donel,

I am happy about many things this rainy morning, not the least of which is your first steps. The rain has me simply ecstatic. I never realized what a burden fine weather can be. Every morning up and doing things like playing golf or painting the house.

Today I lay in bed a little longer with my book, East of Eden, which will not be completed in time for book club brunch tomorrow morning. Now I a lining up indoor events for the day and I am enjoying my choices.

We missed you at Church Council last night, but I hope you felt us with you in prayer and reflection. I could send you a copy of the minutes--but why don't you wait for the highlights in your next Full Circle!

You are making such great steps toward recovery that I almost feel you need a rainy day yourself to catch your breath before the next ascent. Keep up the good work and listen carefully to your supporters!

My prayers continue in your name,
Linda

Wonderful McCellans --

Your journey is so amazing -- thanks for sharing it with us. It's a joy to learn that Donel is beginning that slow walk toward a full recovery.

It sounds as though your medical team is on the job -- and of course they have our prayers that guide their moves in taking care of all of you.

Donel, I second Veronica's advise about pain medication -- it's important to be as comfortable as you can possibly be -- your body will heal faster without the stress caused by pain.

Keep up the great work!

Carol

To paraphrase, "One small step of faith, one giant leap toward recovery!" Hooray for you, Donel, for actually unhooking and walking!!! How often we take these every day actions for granted, but how large and precious they seem in a situation such as yours. We rejoice in your progress and we pray for continued miracles. Hugs and love to you from the Kirks.

Good morning Donel,
Small steps to please the doctors giant steps toward your recovery. Keep up the good work my friend. Finished Jonathon Edwards yesterday. Gave it to George to put in the church library. Not exactly light reading but an interesting look into life in New England and the religious debate in the seventeen hundreds. I recommend something a little lighter when you start reading again. As our friend Bea would say. " Breath good air "
Love and Peace
Larry

Starry Field

I was sunk into darkness
and you lifted me to Light.
The ground was pulled from under me.
You picked me up
and set me again in your starry field.
I was weary. My eyes closed.
You opened them
and made me look.
My ears heard only laughter,
noise, and confusion.
You sang a simple song,
for the infant unable
to make known its smallest need and said:
"Let us begin."
I am beginning again. -Julia Older