Sunday, May 10, 2009

Hope this was a happy Mother's Day to everyone. Mine was great.

We left Cleveland on Friday afternoon along with my nephew Philip who was returning to Washington about an hour after our flight to Tampa. We were met by the TSA representative who wisked us to Continental, through our own security staton and on to Continental's President's Club where we could wait for our flights to board. Philip thought it was pretty nice not to have to wait in lines, etc. and Mark informed him that sometimes it pays to be a "gimp". When we were escorted from the President's Club to the gate we were informed that Continental had upgraded us to first class and we were given wonderful treatment on board. When we landed in Tampa and were waiting for the other passengers to get off, the pilot came out to chat with Mark. He had been an Army aviator and flew Hueys while he was in the service. He and Mark chatted at length about airframes and what had happened, etc. He was very nice and quite impressed with Mark's outlook on the whole thing.

We were met at Tampa airport by another TSA escort and Peter, who had flown in earlier on Friday, met us outside with the car. We enjoyed a nice dinner out with Pete and his friend Christy before heading back to the hospital. The nurses were glad to see Mark although I don't think he really wanted to be back completely.

Peter, Christy and I spent time at the grocery and a few other errands on Saturday morning and then went back to Mark's to find him with his buddy PJ who was vacationing for a few days in Clearwater. PJ joined us for lunch and just hanging around time. We had dinner at the Fisher House and just hung out some more.

Today we picked up my aunt and drove to my cousin's house for a Mother's Day Visit with my family here in Tampa. We really enjoyed ourselves and the "kids" were asking my cousin and I about stories and family when we were growing up. It amazed me that they were even interested. Peter, Mark, Christy and my cousin's son-in-law Rob were enjoying stories they had never heard before about relatives they had never met. My poor aunt Norma just sat there shaking her head. It was fun. Mark even showed off by walking for everyone.

We will be meeting with the doctor who may be doing Mark's surgery on Tuesday morning and then with the Army medical board representatives on Tuesday afternoon. Keep us in your prayers and I'll let everyone know what happens.

Wow!!! Mark just called me from his room. Jess had her appointment with the US Consulate in Sydney today -- it's Monday morning there as I write this. He said they granted her a five year visa, and I just tried to call her to get the details, but was not able to get through. I will post something after I talk to her about the details. Needless to say it is a big relief for all of us that this went through so well. Good job, Jess!!