Growing and Growing

SuperAmnesiaMan came to inspect Dad right before the surgery. He’s the one that his going to give Dad his BodyCalmJuice and he looks like Clark Kent = SuperAmnesiaMan. A last second before the operation visit from Dr. EyeGal, too. She’s got her game face on and looks like she’s ready for anything. Finally, Amnesia Assistant MajicMushroom and O.R. Nurse FanniePack make the final members of the team. Go get ‘em guys!

Dad’s moaning and crying … he’s done with this stuff, he says … he’s over it, he says … he’s one messed up dude, he says … he won’t stop crying … it’s okay, Dad … Hero!

Mom walks off to the waiting room. I race home … where I will wait for the news … like you all …

Sitting here in the pre-operation waiting room with Dad and Mom. Nurse WaitingSmile, because of her warm smile while we wait, says she likes Mom’s singing. Dad is frustrated because he has been waiting here for a couple of hours. Go figure … waiting in a surgery waiting room …

You have heard about our ViolentSilence. If you need a primer, then click here. This hurts so much … it’s hard to type the words because it brings back very painful memories …

I guess Dad had night-bef0re-eye-surgery-jitters last night. P-Pet stayed with him all night ( … thanks brother … ) and reports that Dad had night-bef0re-eye-surgery-jitters last night … in other words … he was restless with very little sleep. The surgery is schedule for 5:00pm, and we will let you know immediately after we hear back from Dr. EyeGal.

If you are “Rooting for Ray” then send us your picture here. Today’s FeaturedFoto comes from a special flock o’ sheep at EastLake in Okie (not Muskogee), Oklahoma. Dad still talks about all his friends and loved ones in Okie (not Muskogee), and we are happy to see that you are Rooting for Ray! You are all invited to Dad’s “Return to the Pulpit” tour … we’ll let you know when …

Please send your “Rooting for Ray” pictures here.
Whether you are family, friend, or perfect stranger,
we want to hear (and see) from you!

I let you into my bedroom a few weeks ago. I did not get in trouble. Whew!

Well, Mom was illegally lying next to Dad ( … or should I say without doctor authorization sitting on the edge of Dad’s hospital bed … ) the other day. Let’s take a look at their pillow talk …

Dad: I’m one messed up dude … (moan)

Mom: Ray, you are recovering more and more each day.

Dad: I’m one recovering messed up dude … (beast smile … groan)

Dad got a new haircut and shave this afternoon … and he joined a new group called “You, Too!” Here’s some pictures of BonoDad before going gray … We are getting ready for an eye surgery tomorrow afternoon … We are going to pray for full recovery … with or without you … we are going to pray!

Yep, I know we are running behind one day, but that’s the cost of having to save this World … one commercial contract at a time. (… That’s a joke … In case you did not know, I used to be wonderful Dad, but lately I have become a full-time commercial litigation attorney and a part-time hospital visitor and just a semi-part-time Dad … There’s a time for everying, Self … Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 … Keep telling yourself that … There’s a time for everything … ) Here’s the update from yesterday:

• Tuesday also brought some visitors to Dad’s little room: P-Pet, BigVolFan, and Sr.Word.
• You already heard that Dad got a shower on Monday … Well, even into Tuesday … his boot-teeay was kicked! (… Translated: he was really tired … ) That’s a lot of work for one broke dude! Rumor is that Dad gets a haircut and shave today. Adios Tom-Hanks-Stranded-on-Island-after-Airplane-Goes-Down-Looking-Dad!
• Dr. EyeGal spoke with Dad and Mom about Thursday’s eye surgery. They talked about the risks, why she has to give Dad some BodyCalmJuice ( … under general anesthesia … ), the details of the procedure, the short-term affect on his peripheral vision, and her belief that Dad’s eye was injured or burned in the ViolentSilence ( … the accident … ).

Here are the specific prayer requests:

1. A surgery without complications or any new bleeding.
2. Healing of the “seventh nerve” within the eye.

I can walk, talk, see, taste, touch and feel all around me … yet I struggle to find even a few minutes in the day for quiet, personal prayer.

Dad can shuffle, groan, glance, reach and barely move around himself … yet he prays without ceasing.

Yesterday, Dad woke up praying for my Big Week and what has been on my brother’s (CaveBear) plate. When Mom was upset yesterday, he called her over to his bed, asked her to lay down, put his hand on her head, and prayed for her. What an example of a true man … a warrior … a comforter … a protector … my hero. (In case you missed it, check out my Hero 1, Hero 2, and Hero 3.) Dad has even become someone else’s hero. He may be yours, too …

Here are some of Dad’s recent prayers:

• Thank you Lord for your sustenance and provision … Jehovah Jireh … Provider
• Lord, take me into the abyss of God’s love …
• Thank you Lord … (groan from pain) … Thank you Lord … Oh, hallelujah!
• Oh, Lord, how long? Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord. Praise you Jesus. Praise you Lord.
• My God, El Shaddai ….
• According to your Word I can do all things.
• You are everything to me, oh Lord.

This continues for hours … My 2 minute personal prayers (when they happen) seem like seconds … Dad, why can’t I be more like you? … Why can’t I be more like Him?

I love you, Dad!

Within days, Dad changes his mind about sheets, pillows and blankets … He says, “This blanket is so comfortable and provides me with so much strength and comfort.”

Now, he won’t sleep without it …