Monday January 5 2009 8:15 PM

Hey Everybody,

I hope today was an easy Monday. FINALLY, things can get back to normal. Rehab has been going well, hopefuuly in the next month or so we can figure out how everything is going to work out.

I'm watching the Fiesta Bowl and pulling hard for Texas, I can't stand the Big Eleven. Texas should win this game, but you certainly never know.


I've really been wanting to write about 2008.

Our year started out great, we had some friends come up and we went to dinner and then brought in 2008 at Gators. I had a new wife and thought we'd just settle right in and start our new life together. January was nice as Dad, myself and a couple of "friends" to our annual pilgrimage to Memphis. In February I went to a class for work in Birmingham. We also planned a trip to NYC in August to watch Dad and my Yankees for the last time at the Stadium.
Then DeAnn and I went shopping on the 24th at Eastchase and saw our good pal Miss Cammie Kelley. Wen planned to go to dinner Monday night as she was in town on a job interview. The next night we met at Carabbas? and caught up as it had been a while. It was truly wonderful as we saw Cam and also celebrated 6 months.

Now everything coming next is what I was told. The next morning, there was bad weather and I waited a little bit before I left for work. I got there late and worked that morning and like I usually did when everyone was busy, I stopped at Subway and went to Jerry's to eat and wait for him to get out of school. Also we were working on his trailer insurance. He was late as always. We met as he was pulling in, we talked for a few minutes and then I pulled out onto the Elba Highway. I didn't make it 100 yards before the impact. Everything next is foggy has I was in and out of it.

The next vivid thing I remember is seeing Mom and DeAnn. I couldn't see them well because I didn't have glasses on. I was also seeing double, but I could see tubes and I knew couldn't move.
It probably took a few days before I really knew what was going on. The next thing I remember was March Madness was starting so I at least had something to watch. A few days later was opening day of Baseball season. It was a washout and that made my mad because the bombers were supposed to have a day game. The next week of April was my favorite week of the year and we had it worked out where me and the big guy could watch the Azaleas bloom together. I don't remember much, but all was right with the world.

As all of this was happening I was meeting all of these wonderful people. It was all the nurses, surgeons, preachers, or just other families that had loved ones in the unit. I guess it really started to hit me that we were just destined to meet Mrs. Susan, Mrs Sue, that mean Mrs Tommie Lee, Mr. Stan and Mrs. Linda. Also, Dr. John Mark Vermillion has got to be the nicest guy in the world. I would have never known what kind of shape I was in by seeing him, Kendal and Patrick everyday. Also, I couldn't right this without mentioning the men from Frazier. Mr Tom, Mr. Paul and Ron, you all were so thoughtful with the prayers and kind words. The same can be said about Mr. Gary Burton from Pintlala. I don't think any of us would have made it through this without Brother Stanley and Mrs. Nancy. The outpouring of support and love still blows my mind and the Grantham/Stephens/Smith's are very grateful and no we can never repay these debts.

After thinking of all of this and writing it just solidifies my thoughts that I've got to be in the top five of the luckiest guys in the world. You don't get to where I am without the greatest family, friends, and support system. So to all of you that have read and checked this thing relentlessly THANK YOU. Here's to a great and safe 2009.

Fins up and Manana,
Jr.