How is it possible that a year has almost passed since JT left us for his home in Glory? His fingerprints are still all over our lives. His spirit echoes loudly through OU football season. The daughter he predicted for us after a dream, showed up in May. MIL tells of finding little “gifts” from him around the house. It can’t have been a year already.

While cleaning up our office with P2 (our 2 yr old) underfoot, I came across one of the boys’ books about Grandpa. I picked it up and said, “P2, who is this?” He grinned ear to ear and said, “Grandpa!” Now, honestly, I didn’t expect him to know. He’s young and while we show pictures & talk often, you wonder if it makes a difference. The other amazing thing is that P2 calls all grandparents something that sounds like, “Grandad.” So the fact that he so clearly and joyfully said, “Grandpa” melted my heart. Of course, he wanted to look at the book. Toward the end of it, he said, “Bye-bye, Grandpa,” at which point the tears rolled down my cheeks.

We are wading in the grief this week. We’re not drowning in it, like we were a year ago, but we’re definitely feeling it. It’s effecting my whole family.

I hope we can continue to share Grandpa’s love & legacy with his grandkids, those who have memories of him and the one who won’t meet him till we are all home in Glory.

The family thanks you for all your prayers and love and  support through the last few months. As JT passed peacefully from this world into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday evening, we know we were surrounded by the angels.

Our sorrow from the loss of our dear husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend cannot outweigh or outshine the joy we have knowing he is dancing on the streets of gold, singing with the angels, and greeting family and friends that went before him. Personally, I find great comfort in knowing he is loving on the two little ones we lost to miscarriage just a few years ago and shaking hands with my Papaw who left us just 2 months ago.

So, thank you again and again. Thank you to our McKinney/Dallas friends that took them into your community as one of your own, especially to JP – JT’s personal cheerleader. Thank you to the friends in Oklahoma that made sure JT & MIL knew that home missed them. Thank you to Tina and Dr. P for seeing JT as more than a patient and to the countless other doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, etc., that were part of his care.

The service will be Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Midwest City, OK. Visitation is Friday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Ford Funeral Home, Midwest City, OK. If you can join us, please come to this celebration of JT’s life, as we share our cherished memories.

And so, I bid farewell to my Pops. And while I know it will be but a blink of an eye ’til I will join him in Heaven, my heart hurts. I love you, Pops.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

- W.H. Auden

JT & MIL have returned home to OK. They are grateful to be back in their own space.

If you’d like to visit them, please call first.

Thanks for your continued prayers, love and notes of support.

JT moved out of ICU to a regular room on Tuesday. The Toddler & I were able to go see him on Thursday. He had just finished his physical therapy and sat up on the side of his bed for over 10 minutes. He has resistance bands tied to the sides of his bed so he can do arm exercises throughout the day.

Tonight he is enjoying watching the Sooners whomp the University of Tulsa.

This is what the surgeon told JT yesterday when he came to check on him. Apparently he lost so much blood during the surgery, there’s really no reason he should still be alive.  We know the reason, of course - God hears our prayers.

He received 2 units of blood yesterday and 2 more units today. He will probably be in ICU for a couple of more days. He was in a lot of pain this morning. They increased his pain medication, so by this afternoon he was comfortable.

Thanks for your continued support.

JT was in surgery from 8am to 1pm yesterday. They amputated his right leg, and he came thru it okay. He is in ICU and will probably be there atleast a couple more days.

By yesterday evening, he had his ventilation tube out and was awake & alert. There was an issue with one of his i.v. lines, but it was corrected quickly.

I will post another update when more information is available.

JT’s surgery was postponed until Thur @ 7:30am. Because the OR was backed up, the surgery was pushed back & pushed back. Around 6pm, the surgeon came to the room to say he didn’t want to do the surgery this late in the day. We were given the option of 3pm (maybe) tomorrow or 7:30am (definitely) Thur. All agreed that 7:30am was better.

JT had lots of visitors & support there today. Their pastor Dr. Mike came down, along with niece DF & friend LK. Of course, MIL, DH, BIL, SIL & self were there. Also, Pastor Randy from FBC & friend/chair of Cancer Ministry JP came to see him today.

Wanted to give a thanks to those keeping our kids today so SIL & I could be there – SIL’s sister JM, our neighbor KC and my Mom, Dad & Sis.

Also, thanks to the folks at SWA (JT’s work) that held a fund raiser for him. Just knowing you care so much for our JT means the world to us.

Finally, thanks for all the continued prayers & keep it up.

JT’s surgery is today at 4:15pm. He is at Medical City in Dallas.

Last night MIL said he was anxious about today. She’s worn out also. I guess we all are. MIL said if she just knew that this was it, the last surgery he’ll need, she thinks she could cope. But it’s the unknown and the fear of more complications that is weighing heavily on everyone’s mind.

Thank you for the cards and notes you continue to send. They really do brighten JT’s day. Most of thank you for your continued prayer support. Prayers truly make all the difference.

JT will return to Medical City in Dallas on Monday, Sep. 10. He will have surgery to amputate his right leg on Tuesday, Sep. 11. The circulation never returned to the leg as they had hoped after the tumor removal.

Other than that I have little information. I will write more as I know more.

JT was released from the rehab center yesterday and was glad to be back in his TX home. We took him beef & onion pizza (his request) for dinner last night & had a good visit. BIL/SIL & kids were there today for a visit & dinner. MIL said it was good to see everyone & not be confined in a hospital room.

The wound at the amputation site continues to be a problem. JT does have daily nurses & physical therapy coming with home health. They are hoping it doesn’t get so bad that they have to go to the hospital before Tuesday, when he’ll have surgery to address the problem.

Keep up the prayers.