Another day down....Monday is almost here, and I say that with an equal mixture of relief and fear. At last we can take steps toward diagnosing and treating this mass, and at last we will hear what the prognosis is. Dad is not saying a lot, but he is adamant about his responsibilities at the church and towards the funeral home. This morning, he knew that he had to be at the funeral home by 2:00, because he had paperwork to fill out, and he wasn't sure how much paperwork that would be. An hour later, he asked my mom where they were going today, and she told him that she didn't know. He looked at Caitlin and said, "Jeanette is always making these appointments for me, and then she forgets what they are". We spent a wonderful afternoon together - all the kids and their spouses were there except Gregory. He was busy helping another family cope with a crisis. Clay played a concert for us, and there wasn't a dry eye to be found. Dad's sister Linda and her husband brought barbecue that another of his brothers, Paul, stayed up all night to smoke. He knows how much Dad loves his barbecue! Rich's mom, Betty, came over and watched all the kids play. She and Miles both paid a high price for the afternoon: nasty wasp stings. For the most part, it was a really nice afternoon. I wish Dad could remember it, because I always will.

Dad decided during supper that he and Mom needed to get dressed for Wednesday night prayer meeting. He was insistent that they had to go. We all tried to dissuade him; we even called Garry Lillpop, the head deacon, and had him call Dad. In the end, Dad prevailed. There was no arguing. He would be going. So, Mom and Dad left, Rich followed them (just to keep Dad safe - God bless you, Rich), and Mom had me call Garry. Garry and Diane and Sharon all met Mom, Dad and Rich at the church, and they are in prayer meeting right now. He would not listen to anyone. His responsibilities to the church are engrained in him. For you wonderful friends who showed up at church tonight, I thank you very much.

We are trying to spend as much time with Dad as we can, but I am afraid he will have no knowledge of this time together. The tumor is right in-between where his short term memory and his long term memories are generated, and the short term memory seems almost nonexistent. His demeanor is very quiet, yet we found out tonight that you do not stand between him and his church duties. Dad will prevail and you will lose. I think this is very sweet, and yet so very sad. The church and all the people there have been Dad's focus for over half of his life....38 years. For him not to serve the church would be a great loss for Dad, and I'm sure he will not accept this news easily, even if it is for a brief time. The bottom line is: he loves his Lord and his church, and he will be there to serve God, regardless of his health. If the world were full of men as faithful as my dad, what a wonderful world it would be.