Random Thoughts

I'm just chillin' pool-side while KC gets her swim on, thought I'd impart some wisdom upon the world. Heat makes you sweat. While my hottie counterparts are in their bathing suits, I am still in jeans from church. And even though I am losing water weight by the gallon, what better way to spend a Sunday than watching the two most beautiful women in the world splash around a in a peanut-shaped kiddie pool. I am truly blessed beyond words; beyond my wildest imagination even. What could I have possible done to deserve God's two most beautiful creations?

Despite the heat, it is a gorgeous day. And the best part about today, is that its not tomorrow. I am trying to soak up every wonderful second of this holiday weekend. Plus, if it is tomorrow, then that means the next tomorrow would be a work day. So a today that includes a tomorrow with a non-working tomorrow following is always a good today. Even though tomorrow will be a good today, I don't know that tomorrow will compare to this today, because this today is pretty great.

OK... it is really, stinking hot. I had to go change into shorts mid-post.

We had our friends Matt and Leann Roberge and their kids Kennedy (Grace) and Carson over for dinner last night. It is the first time I have been able to see them since we left our previous house last summer. It was really great seeing them again; they are great friends. We had a great time with them and the kids had a blast! It made me realize how much I missed the availability of a close-by friend. We used to be able to just walk a few steps across the street and hang out and chat every evening. And by every, I mean whenever both of us happened to be home at the same time. He is in the Army and constantly going out of town to train other units across the state and country and my job requires me to be out of town frequently. So anyway, I have missed that frequent "manly" face time. This might sound gay, but I think manly bonding is underrated. I would argue that the right kind of edifying man-time is essential for all men, and especially married men. Don't get me wrong, the time you spend with your wife and family is ultimately the most important, but guys can't survive on shopping, romantic comedies, and tea parties alone. We need time to discuss manly things in our own manly ways. I'm not just talking boxscores and bodily functions either, although those definitely need to be included. We need insight from similar perspectives and edification in ways that women are not always able to provide. (I still love you, Honey) So anyway, it was great to talk to Matt again.

OK, I am going to join my family in the tiny peanut-pool. Have a great holiday weekend.

Official Diagnosis

We finally got an official diagnosis for my Grandfather. The week before they opened him up to try and seal off the portion of this lung where a bunch of fluid was collecting. That gave them the chance to look around and they found the same cancer cells around the lining of his heart. Initially, the doctor said that it didn't look like Mesothelioma typically does, but the biopsy of the tissue confirmed it last week. It is definitely Mes. and it now in the lining of his heart as well. The doctors said that it would typically grow out and away from the heart, filling his chest and abdomen. At this point, it is probably a long shot for him to make it to Father's Day next year. He has elected not to do chemotherapy, as he wants to be able to fully enjoy the good days he has left, instead of extending the inevitable for only a short time. He has been really weak since his surgery, but hopefully the pain medication will help him get up and around... He still has plenty of strength left in his body. That is the ironic thing about this whole situation. He is one of the healthiest, most fit men in their nineties. He has been the one caring for all of the older people in our family while their general health fails. Only something like this could have taken him down, and now, here it is. He has been so strong for so many people for so many years. I hope he realizes how much of an impact he has had through service and love. He has so much love in his heart, it is humbling. There is not a better person on this planet. And I hope he can look forward with expectant joy to the incredible celebration that will take place when the time comes for him walk with God that he has served so incredibly for so many years.

Please pray for him. This is him with Kennedy and I a couple years ago.