We wish this was a better post. Bill's energy level has been reduced significantly and his pain level is increasing. You can see in his eyes that his body hurts. He received a visit from the Chaplain today as a way to encourage his faith and gear up to fight and carry on. A gentle reminder that God is with him and his path is being paved. The nurses have been encouraging lots of prayer and that the family spend oodles of time with him. It is better for him to know we are there when he sleeps, startles, and opens his eyes. Although, we know the risk of infection, so our visits are short, but frequent. He received 2 more units of blood today and his color improved again. He was still willing to walk for the nursing staff and is trying to eat. Our prayer this evening is that he gets some good quality sleep and his body is free of pain.
Debi is doing a great job loving her mate. She tells him how much she needs him and wants him to come home. Jodi spent the day visiting dad and took a short break to sleep...the week finally caught up a bit. Sean and Brock enjoyed some time together watching our niece Ellie ice skate and joined the rest of the family at the hospital for time with dad. Overall, this has been a special bonding time and on a personal note...I (Jodi) really love my brothers and feel grateful to see them again.
We are thankful once again, for today. God is so good and continues to bless our lives. The grace of his love surrounds us. We also would like to take a moment to thank the many people that have reached out to us to share similar experiences and the encouragement that came out of their special situation. In addition, we can not thank the Held family enough for graciously opening their home to us for unlimited use during this visit. A heavy weight has been lifted in that respect. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we give thanks to the good Lord above for time, energy, courage, love, support, and friendship. Good night everyone. Thank you for continued prayers.
Bill --
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I have tried to use a blog. I would have preferred to have learned how to do it in circumstances other than the present. I lost a completely finished blog to you a couple of hours ago because I couldn't get it to send properly. I left the office to get a haircut, and came back to try a second time. In the interim, your newest blog went up, and it is tougher than the previous one, but it doesn't really change what I have to say, and you all are taking it one day at a time. I know that however difficult it may be, you'll give it all you have.
If you could tolerate standing on a chair every 3-4 weeks for years; if you could endure my refusal to give any ground on political issues or on whoever was the Rush Limbaugh or the Sarah Pailin at the time; and if you could overcome all the obstacles that you have encountered in your baseball project -- then you can beat this if it is possible to do so.
(Since other people apparently can read this comment, I would note that Bill knows which comments are serious and which are attempts at humor, and I think Debbie can figure it out as well.)
I think the way we have got on together all these years is that we have two priorities in common: first, family, of whom we are very proud; and second, service to individuals and the community at large.
When Bob Keiter recommended you to me at least 25 years ago, he said you were the kind of person one could enjoy being with on a regular basis while getting one's hair cut, or fishing, etc. For the first few years this was true about half the time, when you weren't being argumentative. I, of course, was never argumentative, and if I was, it's because I was right. Anyway, after you gave up trying to convince me of certain things, it was easier, because then I never had to try to convince you of anything. Seriously, I think we both discovered that what seemed like philosophically irreconcileable differences really were not irreconcileable, but different paths to the same truth or at least the same goal. (And don't give me any B.S. about not understanding big words.)
I think that however different our ideas about some things may be, we share the same values, and try to live honestly, fairly, and morally, as we see it. Your family and the baseball project are the things of which you are most proud, and justly so.
Your customers can find someone else to cut their hair; the baseball project can continue with another head coach; and your family and friends can adjust to your absence, if it comes to that -- but it will be a lot less fun without you, and it will be next to impossible to find anyone as sincere and as well motivated. So keep on fighting -- I know you will.
My notion of prayer does not include asking for outcomes, but yours does, and I'll be praying for you using your system.
Joel Selig 11/24
Hey Bill,
ReplyDeleteJodie called me on Monday to let me know the news. It's taken me this long to figure out how to send a message! I know my parents, sister and I are all thinking of you and praying for your recovery. Hopefully you'll be able to give me my next haircut. I hadn't had it cut since August, so I finally had to go in yesterday to where my girlfriend gets her hair cut. She did an okay job, but she didn't know anything about baseball! However, she gave me a student discount. She's got you beat there.
I'm glad that you've had a chance to develop the baseball facility. You helped me so much with baseball and other aspects of life growing up, and it's great that you've developed this facility so that other kids can have the same experience. You know it's a good sign of its success that it has caused such a hooplah in the world of Laramie baseball politics. If there's any way I can help with it, let me know. I'm sure Gene has it under control, but I'd be glad to help with anything, including working on the field next summer. You never got back to me about putting up the fence!
I'll have to show my dad how to send a message. He'd be able to give you more crap than I can. I'm sure you'll hear from one of us again soon. Hang in there! I hope you and your family are able to enjoy Thanksgiving.
Chris Holmes
Willy
ReplyDeleteThis week when we are supposed to be so thankful has been so sad for both Judy and I as I know it has for so many others. When I found out on Monday I was devastated. I know that you'll come out of this battle as you have so many others, after all we Douglas guys are tough and nothing can stop us. I've had my battles and made it as I know you will as you always have. You have to get better as there are to many depending on you for too many different things. I know things are not the best right now but you can surely be thankful on this day that you have such a great family and a multitude of friends. Take care and our prayers are with you.
Bob and Judy Adams