What time is it?

Well it's time for lots of things:

1. It's time to return to regular updates. I will confess I've been having a bit of a personal meltdown for the past couple of weeks. Dad is getting better and better -- my problem seems to be an inability to balance Dad's stuff with my own. At any rate, I'd appreciate your prayers that I can find some space and rest for myself mentally and emotionally.

2. It's time to tell you that it's almost Dad's 70th birthday! We will be having a party for him on June 14th and anyone and everyone who loves Dad is invited. (If you haven't received an evite link for the info, please e-mail me or post a message here and I'll send it to you.) I remember so well back in December when things were so touch and go having a clear image of Dad walking into a big birthday party this June. AND NOW HERE WE ARE!!

3. It's time to update you on how fabulous Dad is. Although he is still having some balance issues because of his sight (about which more in a sec), Dad is walking very well. He is still using a cane or walker, but more often than not (please don't rat him out to his therapists) he's really just holding them while he walks. Though he still has some difficulty with using his hands, and is still not quite back to full strength, he is pretty much "well." The problems that he's still having are really vision related.

4. "What time is it?" Why don't you ask Dad? He can see well enough to tell time now! He's actually able to set his beloved grandfather clock! Dad is able to read street signs and see details he hasn't before. The major issue is focus. If things are moving, Dad can't see them because he can't focus on them, but if something is still he has enough time to concentrate on it so it "resolves" (i.e. he can't read a sign as we drive by, but if we're stopped at a light, he can see the signs). As many of you know, one of Dad's greatest concerns has been whether or not he will see well enough to drive again. Last weekend, while on an outing with Joe and his friend along the Pony Express Trail, Dad had the guys pull off the main dirt road so that he could try his hand at driving. Dad handled the curves of the road with no problem and was able to confidently drive for about half a mile. Joe said he did great! (I have felt all along that Dad would drive again. And now we can see that at this point the two issues, of course, are him not just seeing the lines and signs of the road, but keeping up visually with things that are moving and having a quick reaction time -- right now he's quite slow at most things.)

Thank you all for continuing to follow Dad's progress. Your faithfulness to Dad is certainly a testimony to what a great man he is. A friend thanked me the other day for "sharing" Dad with her (her own father is gone) and I just had to shake my head. I'm darn proud to have a father who is so loving and compassionate he has sheltered many "kids" under his wings.