May 21, 2008

Hi Folks,

Things are going really good. The blood tests and check up the other day showed that our little Warrior has gained another pound and everything else looks great. Being home has helped so very much already. Everyone is happier and Garrett is eating and sleeping much better. Not one nightmare since coming home!

Garrett and I are in Denver tonight for a check up in the morning, so we're having a "boys night out". A McFlurry and SportsCenter... It doesn't get much better than that! Tomorrow we'll stop in to see a little boy we learned about a few days ago. We met his folks on Monday. Nicholas is a 6 year old boy in a comma with a traumatic brain injury. He is very, very sick and needs so many prayers. So do his folks and siblings. Please pray for them. Garrett wanted to give Nick a stuffed horse and baseball, so we stopped in. His dad is a fireman and I feel a natural connection to him. We bonded immediately. It's hard for emergency service workers to be victims and then suddenly you're thrust into the role. Nick's dad is amazing, though, and has a great deal of inner strength. Tomorrow they are to learn about recent tests that will tell a lot about their future. Again, please keep them in your prayers.

Garrett got to see his class today. After days of begging, I finally gave in. I ran interference like a pub bouncer if any kid got within 6 feet of him. Actually, it was really nice for him to see his classmates before they finished for the year, and no-one touched him. He sat in a chair about 10 feet from his class for about 20 minutes and told his story and answered questions. I was very proud of how he handled it. He even showed off his scars.

Each and every day I learn something more from these kids who have been through so much. It's hard to express in this forum, but suffice to say I am the luckiest and proudest daddy around. I realize the road ahead is still very long, but the future looks so bright right now. Everyone is healthy and we intend to stay that way.

God Bless you all,

JD