Henry’s update – Thursday the 31st of January – Hello everybody – I still cannot get over the magnitude of this website, and the entries, each of which triggers such intense memories, such as: Kathy Haines mentioning they acquired our green Mazada. Henry assured me “this car simply cannot make it to Kobar anymore. Sorry.” Well! after the Hains assumed ownership, for some reason the Mazada went to Kobar every Thursday. The Hains had no trouble with it!

I would point this out and Henry would giggle. So, we had no car. Within the next week there was a white Chevy parked beside our house for about four days. Often there were cars parked in our roundabout, as right behind our house was public beach. This car, however, never moved for some days. It bothered me, this mysterious car, so one morning I called Henry at the office, quite concerned – perhaps the owner drowned right off our beach? Should we call security? Henry burst out laughing, as only he laughs, until he starts to choke and his eyes water – “that’s YOUR car. I left it there to see how long before you would notice it. Your car keys are in the desk.”

Ah, this dear man.

You can see I am stalling – what to say about a man who cannot get himself to the bathroom or feed himself. I know he is most distressed about this situation, but is simply too weak to protest – he endures. And, he manages to say thank you for anything we do for him. He has agreed to morphine twice today. He is too weak to say he hurts, but nods when I ask him.

Bobby, Anne, Abby and Maggie, aka BAAM, arrived this morning at 9 am – the Springdale schools closed because of weather. We are so glad they will be here through the weekend. The little kids swirl around him, climb up on the bed and kiss him, bring him stuffed animals, and he smiles.

Henry’s hospital bed is in the living room, I sleep in the couch right beside him, and keep the fireplace stoked up almost 24 hours a day. The fire is a comforting glow through the night.

The Smith’s are still here. Terry sits by Henry and talks to him, though there has been little response today. Karen manages the kitchen and laundry, keeps our bird feeders full, and brings me dinner on a tray! We will miss them when they leave tomorrow.

There is lots to say here about today – but too personal right now. Perhaps later.

Goose, thank you for the butterfly story about your Dad. This meant so much. You have touched many souls, and generated other stories people have shared with me.

I would like to reply to everyone – but we see the space constraint here -

Love to all from Bonnie and the Cook Family