Happy 4th of July 2010 at 1753

Happy 4th of July,
Last night we sat in David's room and watched through the window as the Bethesda Fireworks were set off. A tree was in perfect position to block almost every blast but it was still enjoyable. We didn't OOOOOOH and AAAAAAAH very much but we did try to enjoy the moment.

David has been sleeping very well. He has been feeling very good and is, whenever he or anyone else thinks about it, doing his physical exercises to strengthen every area he is allow to work on.
He is eating almost everything that comes with his meal except he's not very good on the vegetables.

We had a great day of just relaxing. Lynnette and I went to church this morning and got back to his room about noon and he and Karlyn, Lynnette's sister, were playing CRAZY 8's. Lynnette joined in and David whooped everyone. Lynnette has refused to play that game with him when he is not on the pain killer drugs.

We got back about 2 hours ago from a 1 1/2 hour trip on his wheelchair. It was, once again, fantastic, but luckily, not as emotional. We went around the barracks across the street from the hospital and spent about 45 minutes talking with other soldiers. I believe David really enjoyed himself and enjoyed talking on military matters.

It was much easier to write this blog when things are all up in the air and there is drama in every moment, but a short blog means that things are coming along quite well. It is still quite the ordeal to get David from the bed to the wheelchair, but I sincerely think that once he is able to use his right hand and arm and his X-fix has been removed from his pelvis, and his skin grafts won't rip open with the slightest movement, and his skin donor areas don't weep blood when they are stretched, and the nerve transplant has been completed, and the X-fix on his hand is removed, and the 3 pins in his thumb are removed, and.... and.... and.... ALL WILL BE GREAT. You obviously get the picture.

We'll have a great 4th - you need to do some extra celebrating for all of us. We were thinking about being offended, on David's behalf, when nothing extra was done for these soldiers on the Day we consider to be so precious because of these every-day heroes, but, when we considered the fact that these people have families too, and considering what they do each and every day for these guys, we decided not to be offended.

Happy 4th and We love you,

Gordon