The blest day is the best day.

Dear Family and Friends,
What a nice day. At 8:30 this morning Nikki called to say she thought Ms Keanna was doing well enough for Sabbath School so I put the shower in overdrive, dressed and arrived at 9 for pickup. Keanna was ready in a pretty spring dress and we drove to Tracy. Poor Keanna's eyes showed the evidence of a week of fevers and illness. She is weak and tires easily, she and Steve have had a week of flu unlike anything this family has seen before. She mostly sat beside me in Sabbath School and when she told me it was time we left, then she rested in the car a bit and we drove to Old Spaghetti Factory in Stockton to meet Nikki and Pam. We enjoyed lunch and Keanna drew and colored a very nice picture, had some food and then they went their way and I drove home to rest and recoup. This evening I braved the wind and cold weather to weed eat a few nasty stands of weeds, moved the lawn and placed on fertilizer on it, turned on the sprinklers and then came inside. I hatched some food together, it was warm and tasty and the stuff that was not tasty went down the drain. I had tried something from the freezer but it was freezer burned and was too far gone.
I rested in the recliner for a bit, tried to tidy up the lower office a bit in an attempt to make that computer talk to the server but still no luck with that endevour.
I have enjoyed hearing from Roger and Carol today and Bob and Carrol. They had graciously invited me over for games this evening and I considered it for a long time, so long that when I woke it was too late. Sounded like fun and I will definitely look forward to it in the future. These two couples have been such a solid daily support, they really make a difference in my life.
When I think of them and I do often during the day as I drive my thought go like this. I am so thrilled that Roger and Carol finally have help and I long for the day when they can report that Lakemont is under new ownership. It has been a real blessing to not only them but to hundreds of people who come and stay for a day, a week, a month or even a year. They have had a very real ministry there as well as a beautiful base for their busy lives.
I also think of Bob and Carrol, of the terrific challenges they have faced with Carrol's health challenges, I am so proud of their courage, their daily love of life and for the frequent visits they made all during Nan's final year. Their visits brought a real time of brightness and enjoyment to Nan. Carrol knew just what to say, could answer questions we might have and would rub Nan's legs and feet bringing relief.
Nan and I have experienced genuine friendship over the past few years, deep, honest, caring friendships that span from this life to the next one. We have been blessed with so many quality people from family and friends. All brought their own brand of blessing, all helped as God directed.
Keanna and I talked a lot about her Grammy today, she says it makes her sad sometimes to think about Grammy because there are so many things she wants to tell her Grammy. Today she remembered the beautiful little book she made and placed in the casket with Nan, of the little stuffed Pugs, one for Keanna and one for the casket. She will certainly never forget her Grammy and has been touched in her life with Nan's incredible love and compassion. No matter how Nan was feeling, when Keanna walked into the room Nan went into smile mode and loved her time with this precious person. They had a special bond and its makes me very angry when I think about that bond being broken by cancer, the horrible unfairness, the wrenching loss. I can hardly bear it. Jason says he feels the same at times, why Nan? Whats the point?
I feel like I have sort of stumbled through these last 3 months, I have kept getting up, kept working hard but there are very few pockets of joy or meaning along the way, those moments are supplied by the kids, their kids and the incredible circle of friends that seems to take turns sending hope and courage.
And so another week begins and this new dreary life goes on. I am so lonely at times and I am reminded how fortunate I was to have had a lady with an even temperament, a great lover of fun and excitement, of travel, of entertainment, of good food, of family. As I look back there is nothing to complain about or to remember with bitterness. Nan was the ultimate good guy, loyal, steady, elegant, faithful, strong, loving, tender and very special to me.
love to all family and friends,

Tim