Thursday, July 31, 2008

Listening Well

I am disappointed and heartbroken at the ever-increasing rudeness of people expressing their opinions. Especially in this election year it seems more and more that people seek to drown out any message or messenger with which they disagree. Many people don't even want to hear a point of view that is different than their own. From radio "shock jocks" to TV pundits raising their voices and talking over anyone on the panel who holds an differing opinion, to bloggers who fill their retorts with expletives in responding to those with whom they disagree...a little decency, please.

I like the way my friend Shane put it:

"We hope to make our critics our friends, be good listeners, and be known as people who disagree well, and treat those who see things differently with the same grace we hope to feel from them.
Protesters on either side screaming at each other so loudly that no one can hear what the other is saying, or what either side is saying--just noise, neither message getting through. In order to listen you have to shut up for a minute."

Americans in general need to return to civil discourse--less anger and rudeness--and treat those with whom we disagree with a little respect. It would also be nice to clean up our language and expand our vocabulary so that vulgarities and "cuss words" were rarities in our public and private conversations. I'm not a prude and I'm a great defender of freedom of speech. I'm also weary of "animosity overload" that's rampant in most every form of broadcast and print media these days.

I like the life motto that a middle school student once shared with me: "Play Nice of Leave the Planet"

Wise kid.

The Test


What level of education is required to read this blog? According to this test one needs at least a high school reading level. How does your site score on the test?

Monday, July 28, 2008

Life is Good!


I'm a blessed man. Spending the day with my son, my dog, and pick-'em-up truck (my life is a country song) working hard with the sun on our backs and sweat on our brows--and the feeling of satisfaction of a job "well done" when the labor is completed. Good times! They should both sleep well tonight.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Two Steps Forward, One and a Half Steps Back

Last Friday, the 18th, Mom was discharged from the hospital to a Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) facility. It just so happens the LTAC is physically located within the hospital building, so that is a little more convenient to her doctors and and other hospital facilities. She began physical rehabilitation on Monday.

Last night she had a major set-back, was re-admitted and is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The pneumonia continues to be a problem and lying in bed all day does not help with fluid reduction. Once that is cleared up she will begin physical therapy again and it appears the road to recovery from the stroke will be a long one that she travels very slowly over many months.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More Bad News

9pm Thursday: it was just confirmed that Kim's mom definitely had a stroke in the left part of her brain which effects the right side of her body. She has no use of her right arm or leg, unable to speak or swallow. They will not do any more tests until Monday when the doc has ordered another CATscan.

Thank you all for your concern, well-wishes, prayers and positive thoughts. Her whole life changed instantly--this strong, independent woman who raised her children as a single mom and lived alone, is now completely helpless and unaware of what is happening to her. It is so sad.

Update on "Mom"


My mother-in-law had open heart surgery last Thursday--a triple by-pass. She was moved out of ICU on Sunday and came home Wednesday (yesterday). Wednesday night around 7pm the 911 call was placed as she became unconscious and non-responsive. CAT scans, blood tests, consultations with neurologists...
She is in ICU, apparently having suffered a stroke on her right side.
Please keep Peggy C. in your prayers as the doctors seek to determine the extent of the damage and the next course of action.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Medical Update


My mother-in-law had triple by-pass surgery on Thursday. The doctor only gave her a 25-50% chance of surviving the surgery--0% chance if they didn't do the surgery. The estimated 4-hour surgery only took 2.5 hours, everything went very well. She spent last night in ICU for observation, will spend the next 4-5 days in the hospital and then go home. Thanks for all your prayers, encouragement and positive thoughts.

Happy Birthday, America!

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Peggy's Heart


My mother-in-law is a precious woman. She was admitted to the hospital over the weekend; diagnosed with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. My wife flew out Saturday morning to be with her. A heart cath on Monday revealed blockages in three different arteries--100%, 99% and 95%.

Nuclear Stress testing is next and then the doctors will determine the next course of action.

We take comfort in the fact that God is in control. He cares about, and cares for, His children--He even knows the number of hairs on your head.

"The king's (or queen's) heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He directs it wherever He pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)

If you are a praying person, please remember Peggy C. in your conversations with Father.