One year Ago Today

June 12, 2009 - what a day. It was the day of Don's open heart surgery to repair the badly damaged mitral valve - 7 1/2 hours - the waiting - the worry - the ups - the desperate downs - always held steady by our son who suffered along with me, yet helped me through it all. Thank you Rusty - I love you! And the support from our daughters and their families - the visits to the hospital - the time spent there so I could have a break now and then over the next 9 days that Don spent in the hospital - I love you!

Now - one year later -

June12, 2010 - up early, but not as early as last year. Final preparations for the day - then off the a local park when Don was doing a 5K walk with co-workers. What a way to start the anniversary!!!

Don enjoying the view of the bay before the race started . . .

Don and some of his co-workers before the race . . .

And our grandson Jahn - who did the race with Grandpa . . .

Jahn-Zyel with a sign for grandpa before the race . . .

Don and co-worker Grant - who couldn't stay for the race - but came to cheer Don on . . .

Here come Don and Jahn - about to cross the finish line . . .

And Ben and gets into the race too . . .

And then it was time for a picnic in the park with all the co-workers and our daughters and their families . . .


A year ago we'd never have dreamed this would be where we are - what a day - what a year!!!!!