Dear TC,
June 21, 2026 – Sunday
Today was Father’s Day. A bittersweet day. We spent time w/Charlie and Joseph. We all went to lunch at Garcia’s. Your absence was evident. Although you didn’t share our fondness for Mexican cuisine; you would have been there. Planning a funeral over the Father’s Day weekend was a challenge. Many days will be a challenge.
The sun was shining and the birds were singing. The birdbath you gave me for Mother’s Day stands in the back yard and I keep fresh water in it. Cricket still plays her silly chase-the-water game. She’s adjusted to the emptiness better than I.
We are continuing our in-depth study into Psalm 23 at church. I never realized it was possible to walk through the valley of the shadow of death more than once with the same person. And yet; here I am.
I walked through this valley the first time when you nearly bled out. Fifty units of blood and an operation that changed your digestive tract in ways we did not fully understand. Three weeks in the hospital and yet, the Lord saw fit to give you more time with your family. That surgery gave me fifteen more months with you.
I’m going to include this one photo of my mother-in-law. This picture of you and your grandma just speaks to my heart. Her prayers were felt.
We learned ways to eat things and learned to experiment with different foods. You drew the line at putting chili beans in the blender. “No baby food!” I miss your sense of humor.
Never feeling hungry was a constant challenge. At 6′ 3″ you only weighed 133 pounds in March of 2025 when we brought you home from the hospital. More than one doctor saw the miracle of what the Lord had done. My mama’s heart was determined to fatten you up. I did try.
Your were able to feel “stuffed” but it didn’t take much to accomplish that. Your stomach had been so drastically altered…you never really adjusted to it. Not being able to just EAT a meal was a joy you were denied again and again. That is the closest to a complaint I ever heard. Through every blood draw, MRI, PET scan, CT scan, infusion and even dealing with the port and TWO different feeding tubes, you never once complained. You amazed me again and again. We also learned that time-release morphine isn’t “time released” if you grind it up and squirt it through a feeding tube. (oops)
The sun will go down today, and it will come up tomorrow.
Cricket still hogs the middle of the bed. The birdbath waits for another water game.
Gracie tolerates me as only a cat can do. She still prefers wet food, but, she doesn’t attack my bare feet anymore.
Dad and I have been greatly blessed by the folks who have stepped up to walk with us on this journey. You would probably be surprised by how many people love you.
Until I see you again, keep walking with Jesus!
→ I love you!
MOM ♥ 
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We had at least one nurse stop by ICU. This particular nurse was in the E.R. when you were brought in and since you weren’t expected to make it, they came by to say hello and to tell you how good you looked! WOW!
We had at least one nurse stop by ICU. This particular nurse was in the E.R. when you were brought in and since you weren’t expected to make it, they came by to say hello and to tell you how good you looked! WOW!
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