Recovery!

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As many of you know, my son, Ben, had emergency surgery for peritonitis before Christmas. Since then, he has enjoyed the benefits of a colonostomy and all the paraphernalia that goes with it. This past Tuesday he re-entered hospital to have his plumbing restored to a conventional plan. The operation was a success. Wednesday, he was walking around the hospital, stoked with pain meds and possibly at gunpoint. Yesterday, he enjoyed solid hospital food supplemented by a large chocolate malted smuggled to him by his thoughtful wife. Tonight he will sleep in his own bed. His future prognosis is good. He should have no further trouble in this area.

This is a good report. The rest of the family has shared the anguish of his illness for more than three months. It has sapped our energies and damped our spirits a little each day. Now that we are beginning to “unclench,” the broader recovery begins for the rest of us.

As for me, I do not know what the future might bring. I have aged a score of years during this ordeal. Will I get them back? I do not know. In truth, I do not care. It is enough for me that my son got his life back.

In spring, I will find the strength to travel to the Texas Hill Country a couple of times, at least once by motorcycle. I will resume writing and my photography habit. Later, I may take a longer ride. I am thinking Oregon or Idaho. Hm. I feel the rejuvenation kicking in already.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all who kept us in their thoughts and prayers these months.

And thank God.
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