Opa Says

HAPPINESS
is being alive in good health one year after a quadruple by-pass

November 16, 2005

Family, this is the anniversary of the beginning of Family Aid for John. Whenever I looked up, I saw one of you attentive and concerned. Whether it was hospital or home or doctor’s office, you were there.

So the odds were good for this operation. Great! As long as they are less than 100% there has to be concern.

You all came through. I’m proud of you. I’m a better person for the experience.

Going into the Cardiac Rehab I was in better heath than most coming out of the same. Maureen’s thirty exercise routine used muscles long dormant and brought me to a higher level. I got so much more from the Rehab because of the routine.

I’ve walked up and down the inside stairs for thirty some year but never as comfortable as now with the handrail adjusted by Mike and Evan to my proper height.

I laugh now as I did then when I took my first shower and sat on a plastic deck table. The hot water weakened its legs and it collapsed in the tub. I’m not sure Cathie and Brendan were laughing with me, at least not at that time. The tub chair and the hand held water hose were the answer and Brendan got our former Edgehill neighbor to supply them.

I silently used harsh words (I can’t say cursed) when Sean got a parking ticket on Circle after he brought me home from a doctor’s appointment.

Hey, I’m not going to try and mention everyone by name but I do want to say Nancy! Nancy! That marvelous woman falls and has a brain concussion and fracture elbow and there she is taking care of me! The irony of it all. To want lengths I will go to get all the attention.

You all played an important part in my recovery. I appreciate it.

I love you all,
Dad, Opa and John

PS: Nancy and I along with Clare and Mike and, as a special bonus, Brian are off to Smoral’s tonight for dinner. We will toast: my recovery; your assistance in it; the Birthday Boy’s 77th ; the protestors at SOA; the selling of the Burke house and the Phoenix bound entrepreneur. There will be stories of all the animals we have had, how they left us and how much they meant to us.

I look forward to sending you all many more letters of appreciation on this anniversary date in the future.