Today has been fairly quiet. Dani & Martin went for a walk down the inter-urban, Dad took a nap after lunch, Mom worked on her class. Martin and I spent some time playing guitar and telecommuting (the wonders of modern day technology that allows me to spend so much time with my family while still seeing to the needs of my job continue to amaze me!)
As some of you may already know, Martin has been filming interviews with Dad. Talking about background, churches, family and various memories has been a great chance to record Dad's history and finally get some of the stories we grew up with in a more permanent form. Today Nicole and James both got a chance to "interview" Papa. Allie has been hiding out upstairs in the attic. She is getting over a bad cough and is doing her best to keep the germs away from Papa! She's been a trooper, because it's hard to stay away from the center of activity, but she's been a great sport.
Yesterday was a big day with church, then going out to lunch afterward with Dad's sister-in-law Alice, nieces Connie & Amy & grand-niece Emily. Then, last night Mom & Dad hosted book group. And Dad defied the image of an ailing patient as he discussed the science and spirituality of Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything" (his choice). No wonder a nap felt good today!
Dani and James are mostly recovered from jet lag (although I think James has bounced back faster than Dani to be honest). Tomorrow, Martin heads home for a couple of days and Dani, Mom & I are taking the kids to lunch at the Tea Room.
Family time is precious and appreciated; even when we do nothing more than sit quietly together ignoring each other as we each work on our laptops.
I'm late getting here, but have read the blog all the way back from August of last year. What a saga, an heroic saga, with a notable supporting cast!
I sure don't like what those dastardly persistent cancer cells have done, with their powerful will to survive -- but what the HUMAN part of the cast has done is just magnificent. And, Donel, Mr. Director, you're calling forth everyone's finest effort, because you're giving yours. --A class act. Which you've been practicing for all this time.
-- Houston Hodges, Huntsville, AL
An e-friend for twenty years
Thanks, Jeni, for this report (and others). I was at your wedding (by e-report from proud dad)!
Posted by: Houston Hodges at April 12, 2005 07:38 AM