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July 13 Update

By Bud | July 13, 2008

What a weekend. Just when we thought Peter taking his first step in the pool on Thursday was going to be the top highlight for the week, we were blessed with one of the greatest weekends since our arrival here at Craig. That came through friends and family. I take that back. It came from only family, because all of you have become family.

The members of the family that were here this weekend started with the biggest thrill of all for Peter. His good friends Carl Salazar and Ryan Sanders were brought to Denver by Carl’s dad Ken. They spent most of the day Fri. and Ryan and Carl spent the night with us in Peter’s room. They headed back home Sat. afternoon. I am telling you this was special. Seeing the love between three young men and sharing that love is something I will never forget and for Ken to share with me why he made the effort to bring Carl and Ryan is something that has changed my life. Peter and Carl were kickers on the Broken Arrow football team last year and they formed a bond that only they understand. It is special. Carl is going to set records the next two years at BA. All of you wait and see. Pictures are attached.

Our next visitor Friday was Bozena Brinkman, an associate of mine with American National from Salt Lake City. Bo always brings light and cheer to any room and I am sure glad she was my study groups representative to visit us. The rest of my study group are ugly.

Then walked in Mel and Connie Newdigger from Northville, MI.(Detroit) Mel was my general agent for American National when I started 28 years ago in Joplin. Mel is now with Farmers and I threw the present that he brought Peter away as soon as he left. A Farmers Insurance t-shirt. We kept the Detroit Red Wings Championship hat. I think that was from Connie anyway. Mel would never spend any money for a gift. I think Farmers furnished the t-shirt.

My cousin Denise finally returned from vacation and came by and I think she might have been a little overwhelmed by the number of family that were already here.

Then the catering service finally showed up. Monsignor Patrick Gaalaas from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in Tulsa, delivered a pizza from our favorite pizza place here, Rico’s. Monsignor use to live across the street from us in Broken Arrow. We became very well acquainted when we lead the crusade against three young men that rented a house in our neighborhood that were terrorizing the neighborhood. He is here on vacation visiting his sister. And guess what, the Salazar’s knew Monsignor from St Benedicts in BA.

Then Ashley Wagner, a fellow patient that returned to have additional rehab, came into the room. Ashley is from Leoti, KS and attends K-State. She was leaving Friday for a short return home and will return to Denver next week for some surgery. Monsignor Gaalaas lead us in prayer for Ashley. She is a wonderful young lady and she has been so inspirational to Peter and me. We love her to death and I hope she will allow me to keep in touch with her despite me constantly wearing my Kansas shirt every day since her arrival. I can now have it washed.

Agents from Tulsa then arrived. Paul Rosberg, Dallas Haefeker, Mike Pinion and his wife Kristy. They were here with us at 6 p.m central time and joined Carl, Peter, Ryan and me for the prayer chain. Thanks to all of you for joining us in prayer and we know that prayer is working.

Then came Sunday and Jeff and Julia Johnson, our Regional Director from here in Denver, and Byron and Joan Day an associate of mine here in Denver, came by to see Peter. Then at 4 p.m. we went to Janeen and Darby Tuckers home for a cookout. Peter and their son, Drew, played hockey together when they lived in Tulsa.

Janet and Whitney have been busy back home preparing the house for our arrival. Thanks to Josh Moses, Teresa, Wes and Presley Moody, John Michael. Jarrod, sorry Janet did not get the last name, and my cousin Matt Jessee for helping Janet move some furniture and boxes around so construction crews can start this week. This help was priceless.

Peter and I are anticipating a fantastic week. With the prayers that have taken place the last few days and the attitude that Peter has, I really think the upcoming days are going to be a very positive step in Peter’s recovery.

God bless all of you.
He will walk again
Bud

Topics: Peter |