Just wanted to let everyone know about Tom's PET scan. Cancer activity is down from a 10 to a 5. He had 8 small tumors and 1 large one. Now his large one is half as big and the other 8 are gone entirely. There is no sign of any cancer in any other part of his body. As Eric used to say, his dad is a "freak of nature." He will probably outlive all of us. Isn't this just awesome!! Now he can go get a job!!!!!

Hello from California, we are all good, just enjoyed a visit from Missy and James, glad he is home safe fro Afganastan. Hannah is busier than we can keep up with, loving choir just finised Peter Pan, she was an ADD lost boy! Bryan trying to get in shape for the Marines, looks like it's the path he wants to pursue for becoming a lawyer, they provide the most amount of financial support, to the tune of paying for the rest of his BA and law school, watch out Meghan he will out rank you...says he can't enven think about joining if he doesn't out rank my dad, no way he is showing up in heaven without a salute from his Papaw! That will be priceless...looks like he may go into officers bootcamp this summer, maybe next...he is trying to get in shape! Jim just lost a good sized contract with adult education due to the financial mess California is in, pray they reinstate it in July. I'm working one more week as a counselor for him (he's had a counselor out on maturnity leave since January). Next week we are going to Palm Springs for the mens and womens tennis finals in the indian wells tennis tournament...looking forward to a weekend away, between college kids popping by and High schoolers hanging out our house is pretty non stop busy! Just thought an update might stimulate some exchange! Love you all!

Memorial Service

We had a memorial service for Eric yesterday. It was awesome. Scott is the Choir Director at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, so between him and Pastor Steve and Tom and I and Missy and Mindy and Lauren, we figured out a rough draft of what we wanted. Turned out even better than I had hoped. Lauren did an 11x17 picture of Eric to put up. Mindy found a burgandy suede box that she had bought a long time ago at one of Helen's yard sales that the box of his ashes fit in perfectly. Megan and Missy had a brass plaque put on it with his name and all. Megan (Mindy helped) got the flowers -- one hanging wreath and one small swag -- to match the box. Missy put his sunglasses (never without them) and one of his ball caps on the stand also. What a wonderful display.

I wrote the eulogy for Scott to read and he changed it around into his own words and that boy is fantastic -- then he went right into Amazing Grace a capella, that put everyone in tears. He and Kim (Rhett's wife) sang Dwelling in Buelah Land, then Kim also sang a solo "Wish You Were Here." Same song she sang at Shelley's funeral.

Bobby Bangert videotaped the whole thing. Haven't seen it yet. He is going to transfer it to DVD's and I will be sending one to Aunt Janie, since she was the closest to Eric, and you all can see it.

We had coffee in the Meeting Room after the service and showed the slide show that Marcia and Colton had put together. What a job. I guess it was worth sending Marcia to Cal Poly to study computer science (and find a husband). I had Bob put that on the video also, so you will see a copy of that. Although Marcia is going to put it on the blog .

We closed the service with everyone singing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."

I was probably the only one that didn't cry at all during the entire thing. I had Lauren put a bunch of eyeliner on me, so I didn't dare. I was also full of Effexor, Xanax, and levaquin and xythromyacin for my sinus infection --so I was so doped up, it wasn't that hard on me. I just enjoyed the wonderful ceremony. I'm sure I will pay for that in the days to come.

Will be sending Tom's sisters and brothers a copy of the program, which has his obit on the front inside cover.

Back to real life now, and hope Tom and I and all can cope with this.