Hello, those of you still out there. Appreciated the comments posted today – how much, can you ever know? Perhaps. This has been a long day, as they all have been lately. Today was time to, as my Dad used to say, “muck this place out.” Christmas things still piled in the dining room, still piles of leftovers from Hospice, cupboards full of Henry’s medicines that are ordered in three month allotments – he dutifully took all meds prescribed but didn’t like it one bit. A box of these will go to the Good Samaritan Clinic.

Bobby and his mother!!! Cleaned out the garage – why didn’t this happen a year ago so Henry could see it? All that junk in there drove him crazy.

Good friend Doris Mabray called, “what can I do?” I jokingly said, “come on over here and tell me what to throw out. She was at the front door in 10 minutes, and really did take several hours and “mucked” out two rooms, as Cindy performed cleaning miracles in the kitchen. Anne was on the phone almost the entire day, making hotel reservations.

Today was most difficult for Allison – as Henry’s life the last two years especially was programmed around her arriving for a 30 second shower after workout and a 3 minute lunch. He got to where he waited for her, and if he was falling asleep the last thing he would say was, “don’t let me sleep through when Allison comes. Wake me up.” If I didn’t he was really hurt. They had a special bond through these lunch times, she provided him a window to the business world, and a stream of chatter about the kids. And today, he wasn’t here.

I stayed as busy as possible – as he was to be cremated this afternoon. When I signed the paper, the man made sure I realized this process is irreversible. Well, I guess death is fairly irreversible. Actually, not totally, we have the account of Lazarus, and the Savior himself. So of course I realize the doctrine of the resurrection. However, solace as that is, today was pretty intense.

Lots of food arrived here today – from neighbors and friends and church people – we keep protesting, but still eat it all, and say, “thank you – are you coming tomorrow?”

Was looking for something in the Dodger Den today, and ran across Henry’s volume of the complete Sherlock Holmes. He knew every story, every twist, every surprise ending. He was well versed in Arthur Conan Doyle long before we met.

Peter just stoked up a great fire in the fireplace, so I am closing this out and retiring to my couch – going to be a little time before I can face our bedroom.

Have I ever said, I love you all…. Bonnie and the Cook Family