Thugs

The girls were with the boy at Books-a-Million for a midnight release of a new title; D went to the movie theatre. On the way back to the bookstore, some thugs tried to rob him. Honestly, Mary . . . I think he would have kicked their butts by himself. I've never seen him so angry! (And this was 30 minutes later, too.) They tried to get him to hand over his wallet, but they were not successful.

Miss You

Okay, I know this is kind of silly, but I went to the cemetery today . . . just because. I stood by the spot where your body rests. You are not there, just your cancer-ridden body. But YOU are not there. You live in heaven with Jesus. Dance for Jesus, friend! I miss you.

Milk Shakes

Okay, so we were in the car today with A and she told us a story about when she and B were about three-years-old that made me smile. She said that you took them to a local ice cream parlor for milk shakes. Both girls had very large milk shakes and greedily slurped them down. When B was done, she asked for another one. After you refused, she began whinning, which soon turned into an all-out temper tantrum right there in the ice cream shop. A said that she vividly remembers you scooping B up into a "football" hold under your arm while she was screaming all the while. Then you sweetly took A by the hand and calmly walked out of the store. What cracked me up about this is what I imagined your stoic expression to be . . . unrattled by a screaming toddler. You always keep it together. You are always in control. I need some lessons. Wish you were here to teach me, friend.

Information is Power

Learn about Rep. Carolyn McCarthy and the good things she is doing to bring IBC to the forefront of the news.
http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/?sectionid=155&sectiontree=155&itemid=771

Learn more about IBC and pray for the guests registered in the guestbook, please.
http://www.eraseibc.com/1101.html

Outlook Article

The Outlook published a follow-up article about the family today. I just hate that everyone always picks the saddest pictures of you. You were happy that day! I have some great smiling pictures of you. Those are the best! D felt the same way today when I spoke with him about it. He and I talked at length about lots of things today. We shed some tears and laughed full belly! He misses you so much. It breaks my heart, friend. One of the points of discussion was the lack of a comprehensive cancer treatment center here in the area. With two world-premier centers just a few miles away, why can neither provide the non-FDA approved drug studies that you needed. It just seems cruel that you and others have to travel to Indy or N-ville. If we could have gotten you to N-ville again, I know you would still be here. You were just too sick. Even you told me you couldn't make that last trip. D and I were going to try though. You just couldn't do it though. So I am on this. I'm going to find out why we don't have what people need right here at home.

Celebration Day, Monday July 14

We celebrated your life today, friend. JD, John, and Doc spoke so well. The music was wonderful although Candy and I lost it during "I'll Fly Away" and missed you together. Your extended family heard the gospel. One man walked forward during the invitation and accepted Jesus as his Savior. It was beautiful. "Come to Jesus" left us all weeping in both sorrow and celebration!

Happy Graduation!

This day was so fun! You were so mad at D because he wouldn't stay in the room, but little did you know he was planning a special graduation for you to see the girls graduate! We were all in the chapel at the hospital with friends, family, newspaper reporters, television crews, faculty members, and all. The nurse finally got you out of the room to go see the "beautiful chapel stained glass windows" of course. You were so happy! I watched you and thought about all that must be running through you mind . . . You are very special, friend. You are very loved. I love this happy picture and the beautiful smile on your face. I miss you!