As I write this newsletter I am shocked to see this is the 100th edition. I remember wondering when I sat down to write the first edition in September, 2003, just how long this little project would last. I didn't have a whole lot of confidence about it at the time. I'm glad I was wrong.
You may find it interesting to know that in the last two years I have written over 71,000 words to record and share what has happened in our family. Currently this gets sent to 26 e-mail addresses. Some of you we see each week at church. The rest of you live outside of Robertson County. I did not start this to send you spam, I just wanted to keep in touch and this seemed to be a good way to do that.
This newsletter also came to be in response to setting a personal goal for myself. Ever since Mom showed me a journal Dad kept while he was stationed on Saipan in World War II I realized how much it would be appreciated by myself and others in the future. I first started a journal of sorts about 15 years ago. Being inspired by the M*A*S*H character, Hawkeye Pierce, it was formatted as letters to my own father. I was faithful to it for several months. Later, after Jenna was born, I started a new journal, this time writing one page a day in a little steno notebook. I filled several books but when Ben came along it got to be a burden and I stopped. This format seems to work for me and knowing that I have readers holds me accountable to the job.
It takes me about an hour or so to produce each edition. I try to write a little on the newsletter throughout the week so it doesn't consume a whole evening but things don't always work out that way. Once I have written a rough draft I print it so Vicki and I can proofread it. In all fairness she really is a co-author even though I sign my name each week.
The dangerous thing is Jenna can read now. Last Monday Vicki had left last week's edition on the bathroom counter. After supper Jenna went to use the bathroom and saw it for reading material. Vicki and I were still sitting at the supper table when she came out of the bathroom saying, "HEY! I've been reading..." Vicki, seeing what was in her hand pointed at me so Jenna could direct her fussing at the appropriate person. It seems she didn't like the story about her coming down the steps in her shoes and underwear and wanted it deleted. After a little diplomacy she consented, but I got pinched on the arm pretty hard. Who knows, we may have a guest columnist in upcoming issues!
So, this is our life. Granted, what we choose to write is like taking pictures with a camera, you capture the things you want to remember later. Most of the pictures are good memories. Some are not. At any rate, I'm glad I have a written record to look back on to aid my memory of what life has been like for us.
MEDICAL UPDATES. I've got a little good news and a little bad news. The bad news first--Mom had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to check on her knee. To be brief he simply said her only option was knee replacement and he'd schedule it whenever she was ready. She's not ready.
On a better note, Pauline went to see the same surgeon about her foot. He took an x-ray and said there was no real change from the last visit. He sent Pauline to be fitted for a diabetic shoe but told her not to put any weight on her foot and continue to keep it elevated. He plans to evaluate again in four weeks. Pauline's foot still gets red very quickly whenever she puts it down and he'd like to see that stop happening (which could be as long as eight more months).
Joe
