Growing and Growing

A number of you who don’t live in these parts have asked for a copy of the article. You can see it online here.

But this story is a lot like a LoveNote. Sure, it’s nice to get an email from a secret admirer if you are single or your spouse if you are married … but there’s nothing like the real thing … the letter with pictures, handwritten note, and stinkum sprayed on the paper … That’s the real thing. Well here is the RealThing for you Out-of-Towners. Let us know if you want us to send you a real, RealThing in the mail.

Many of you are asking for the time and location of Dad’s “return-to-the-pulpit” sermon. Well, here it is:

Woodbine Cumberland Presbyterian Church

3016 Nolensville Road

Nashville, TN 37211

Google it!!! Service begins at 10:30am

• If you need help translating some of our words, there is a handy little glossary to the right (——->). For example, we call Dad’s accident the ViolentSilence, as described in the middle of the page here.
• If you want to read the whole story about Dad, some amazing miracles (called GodThruMan moments), and a whole lotta PrayerWarriors, then go to the Archives on the right (——->) and hit “September“, “October“, “November“, and “December” … Remember to read from the bottom up … that sounds funny, “bottom up” …
• If you want to read a Christmas Classic with a miraculous twist, click here.
• If you want to Pound a Pastor … leave a word of encouragement or prayer for Dad and his recovery … go to Pound a Pastor!

There is so much more to do here at G&G, but you will have to surf around to see. There are good words of encouragement, funny jokes, great characters like Nurse RubySlippers and Dr. Beethoven, sad moments, and a whole lot more. Have fun. And as my No. 1 says, “Make a difference in the world today!“

We hope you check back soon! If we can pray for you or if you have miraculous story to share, leave us a note here.

We have no reason to doubt the little bird who has been whispering in our ear. In fact, if you look close … I mean real close … you might find a media nugget about Dad in the paper tomorrow morning. No promises … but the little bird has chirped a little louder this time and we think it will be there.

In the meantime, let’s keep focused on what G&G is all about! Did you forget so soon? We are a growing family … you included … growing up, growing together, growing closer to Christ.

Why did we include you in the “family” part? Because you are part of our family … all of you … yeah, the ones that read G&G an hour before the others (because you live on the East Coast); the ones that read G&G only at work because you don’t have the Internets at home; the ones that read G&G hourly because you are a G&G Addict; the ones that read G&G late at night after your spouse goes to bed because you are in denial; and even the ones that set your Blackberry phone to ring when there is a new post. All of you are part of our family.

Our hope during this new year is that we come together and use our main desire … the deep down desire to love and be loved … to help each other during troubled times. You ready?

Dad will be speaking at the funeral celebration of life of RuggedMan on Saturday morning. Here are some more details:

David Cecil Ruggles

Born in Nashville, TN on Nov. 7, 1988

Departed on Dec. 29, 2008 and resided in Pegram, TN.

Service: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, 10:00am

West Harpeth Funeral Home, 6962 Charlotte Pike 352-9400

“2009: Our Time to Shine”

1. Earlier this week, Dad had an appointment with DocOc … the ocular plastic surgeon … who gave some “less than encouraging” news: Dad’s right eye may have to be permanently sewn shut. DocOc confirmed with Dr. NewFace’s assessement that Dad is not a candidate for a “gold weight” in the eyelid at this time. Ultimately, Dr. NewEye … the cornea specialist … will be able to recommend a cornea transplant, but for now Dad is to continue with drops and ointment on the partially-sewn-shut eye.
2. Earlier this week, a visit with Dr. Beethoven … hearing specialist … about an Ear-Fix-It surgery … brought some good news. While that surgery was supposed to occur in March 2009, it has been moved to January 7, 2009 because of your prayers for availability at SaintTommy’s … another local hospital. They are also going to try to decompress the 6th and 7th nerves to see if this will help re-generate the nerves.

I asked Dad about the “less than encouraging” news from DocOc … His response was amazing: “God is not done with me yet.”

In other words, if God can save a really-messed-up-dude from dying, then He can save a really-messed-up-eye from not seeing.

So many doctors … so many nurses … so many therapists … so many assistants.

As Dad enters a new stage of REhabilitation with REconstructive surgeries, we wanted to take a minute to REintroduce you to some of Dad’s medical gurus. Here they are:

• DocOc is the ocular plastic surgeon, who is looking at the right eyelid “opening and closing” issues.
• Dr. NewEye a/k/a Dr. AsianOcular is the cornea specialist, who is looking at the damage to the right cornea.
• Dr. NewFace is the plastic surgeon, who is looking at the damaged nerves and sag on the right side of Dad’s face.
• Dr. EyeGal and Dr. EyeGuy are the optometrists who have treated Dad’s left eye.
• Dr. Beethoven is the hearing specialist, who is looking at the hearing problems.
• Dr. BoneFixer is Dad’s orthopedic surgeon, who is looking at Dad’s ribs, clavicle, pelvic and tailbone.
• Dr. BidenSmile and Dr. Dentyne are the oral surgeon and regular dentist, who are helping to give Dad a new smile.
• Dr. FamDoc is Dad’s family doctor.
• Dr. Groovin’ was in charge of Dad’s rehabilitation at WorthyRehab.
• Drs. Rehab 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0 were the rehabilitation specialists at TheSelect.
• Dr. BigVoice was a neurosurgeon at the TraumaCondo, who never seemed to want to give us any hope … verbal words of encouragement … but he stay committed to Dad’s care.
• Dr. $$, Dr. NiceNeuro, Dr. Yuck were other random (but necessary) doctors and neurosurgeons on rounds at the TraumaCondo.
• XRAYGirl and XRAYGuy were responsible for … well … x-rays at the TraumaCondo.
• Dr. Trauma was the one who performed the multiple procedures to help save Dad’s life at the TraumaCondo right after Dad’s accident. He has been assisted by Dr. Trauma 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, TraumaLite, and TraumaLite-ette.

These are most of the medical gurus. Stay tuned for a RE-introduction to some of Dad’s wonderful therapists, nurses and caregivers.