One more pre-op appointment. That was for Monday morning. I left the house about 9AM for a ten o'clock appointment for blood work, EKG, a sample, blood pressure and a recheck of medical history. Once again the operation was the epitome of professionalism. I arrived about 9:45 for a 10AM appointment. I was picked up by a gentleman in a golf cart in the parking lot and delivered to the reception area. Since the testing area was completely on the other side of the floor, a wheel chair ride was offered and after a moments thought I accepted. Upon arrival at the testing area the nurse had my chart in her hand and at 9:55 blood was being drawn. I have been to appointments where the process seems to be arrive early, and due to waiting leave late .The process was so professional and efficient that I was finished and on the way home shortly after 11:00.
Tuesday night the kids and Dirk came for dinner. Dirk had stayed over from Sunday night to Monday morning so we just left the toys out knowing that he would be returning to play with them again. One of our neighbors had her grandson in for a visit along with his sister. Dirk was excited to have some new friends to play with and when they were not here hey were not here they were at the neighbors or on Dirk's scooter racing up and down the street.
In the face of uncertainty, there is nothing wrong with hope.
~ Bernie S. Siegel, M.D. |
Wednesday morning we got up early and headed off to Cracker Barrel for breakfast with the family. It was hard to believe it was finally Christmas eve. After breakfast we returned home to relax a bit before our annual Christmas eve shower in preparation for a visit to Dave's mothers house for Christmas Eve dinner. We were joined by Dave, Kathi and Dirk and Dave's brother Marc and family, Lori, Megan, Justin, and Dylan for a delicious ham dinner culminating in home made apple pie with whipped cream. Before leaving there was a gift exchange along with the exchange of Christmas wishes since Marc and family were leaving Christmas Day to spend the rest of the holiday in Chicago. Last year we spent the night at Dave and Kathi's so that we would be present when Dirk woke up to see if Santa had come. This year we decided to spend the night in our own beds and go over in the morning.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.
~ Ps. 118:24 |
Christmas morning Mary came in to get me in motion. A call to he Eskew house revealed that Dirk was still asleep but we continued preparations. Soon there came word that the little man was awake to which we replied that we were walking out the door. When we arrived, coffee was already poured and fixins added and Dirk was waiting patiently for B and Baboo to arrive so he could investigate the treasures. His patience is amazing but he soon got busy tearing open packages wih the flashing of cameras as well as the whirring of the camcorder. The theme was mostly Star Wars and B got everything correct without duplicating anything. In addition there was the full band version of Guitar Hero. Of course there was also a number of Transformer items. Judging by the smaller volume of paper accumulated, the volume of presents seemed appropriate. Dirk has a Birthday on January 2nd so a few items were held out for presentation at that time. After a brunch of sausage bread, once again we journeyed home to relax and clean up before returning later in the afternoon for dinner. Dave's Mom and Dad joined us for dinner of ham potatoes and broccoli. It seemed like Christmas, for which we spend much time preparing is over very quickly. Next week we celebrate again for the New Year and then comes my surgery something to which I am not looking forward as I get more nervous each day.
Happiness is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.
~ Benjamin Franklin |
