Friday I was diagnosed with mild developing pneumonia. I woke up in the night shivering so badly the bed was shaking and I had a sheet, blanket and heavy bedspread on me. I just knew for sure that I had COVID. The entire time I was waiting at the Dr. for the test results I kept thinking that I had dodged it for 2 1/2 years and my luck had run out. I was relieved when the test for COVID and flu both came back negative. And pneumonia really didn't surprise me. I would get cold sitting in the house so I would go outside and sit in the hot, dirty air of the drought weather. Then, when I got hot, I would go back inside. I felt fine when I sent to bed, but waking up at 2 am shaking so bad really scared me.

I've never had pneumonia before and it hurts! I now know how Bill felt when he would tell me he hurt from the top of his head down. It has felt like I had a knot on my back, right about mid-lung that hurt when I breathed. This is not fun! It also makes me sorry for the way I would push Bill at times. Little did I know!

So, 2 antibiotics, prednisone, an albuterol inhaler, nasal spray and nebulized albuterol later, I'm feeling a little better. But the combination of the prednisone and albuterol is not letting me sleep and the fatigue is real. I'm only sleeping about 1 1/2 hours at a time. Sometimes I can go back to sleep but sometimes not for a while. I'm also having some pretty good dreams!

As of this morning I'm feeling better, but still tired. I had 3 really bad, hard coughing spells yesterday to the point I was going to vomit, or lose pieces of my lungs! But, this morning, before any breathing treatments, my O2 was 97, without having to sit and deep breathe. My heart rate is also back to normal after a high of 122 on Friday morning. I'm still going to just rest again today, and I don't know how long the feeling good with last. But I think I'm on the mend!

Two years ago yesterday I kissed you for the last time. Your cheek was already cold and I knew you were no longer there. Two years ago yesterday I told you I loved you and hoped that you could hear me. 

A lot has happened in those two years. We gained Frankie and Aizen right after you passed away. We knew they were coming and we hoped you would hang on long enough to see at least a picture of them.

But since then we've gain Rex and Lucas and Havyn, and inherited two grandsons when Heather married Chris. John and Heather got a new grandson (Heather's son Devin) but I don't remember his name, and Amber Nicole is pregnant again. I'm not sure they know what this one is yet.

McKenna has graduated high school with honors and is going to play softball for Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould. She and Logan are still together but he doesn't like it that's she's going away for college. Kayden is working at Hays and his girlfriend Kim is very sweet. Kiyann is coming out of her shell some. She's taking Karate and loves it and has a really nice boyfriend Danny.

Bri and David bought Ron's house, and in typical Ron fashion, he did not disclose some of the problems. The side of the garage leaks when it rains really hard. The water gets behind the siding that he replaced. One of the bathrooms keeps backing up, but that could also be on the city's side. They've also taken in Adam's daughter Chloe to get her out of a toxic family situation and they have their hands full on top of a new baby.

I haven't heard a lot from your kids lately, not like I did before. John calls some and Mary calls a little. Aimee will text a little, but it's rare to hear from Joe and haven't heard from Harris in more than a year now, no-one has. I did contact a friend of his and he is alive and well, but that's all I know.

Em and Bryan are doing fine. Bryan is now working for Big River Steel and making a lot more money. He takes good care of your car for me. He has it now since I have to have some repair work done to the garage. A guy on drugs ran into the side of it. The crazy part is that his friends pulled him out, laid him on the driveway and drove the car off! He almost died!

Ryan loved working on the farm, but the farmer evidently lost his land or his lease and let everyone go. He's still looking for something and starting to get a little frustrated. So if you have any influence, he could use the help.

Shirley is now in assisted living after the effects of COVID and Karen is getting ready to sell the house. Shirley is always in good spirits when I talk to her but she really wanted to be able to go back home. I'm going to try to get there this fall. We haven't seen each other since they came to visit you in Jonesboro.

Mom is doing pretty good, for almost 91. We took Havyn up for a 5 generation picture. Those are so rare anymore, but I started thinking one day that you had one in your family too. When Amber had Konner, that was a 5th generation...your mom, you, Mary-Rose, Amber and Konner. We just didn't think about it at the time.

Ronna has just finished chemo for cancer and has a PET scan scheduled for tomorrow to see how well it worked. Larry is doing good, has Grandpa's Day Care like you did!

And me, well, I think I'm doing OK. I'm staying busy, but it doesn't seem like I'm doing anything worthwhile. I really need to get with cleaning out the bedrooms and get the remodel stuff done that we planned. It just doesn't have the appeal to me since you aren't here. But, the rooms need cleaned anyway. New roof, new heat/air system and now garage repairs. The siding still isn't finished where the cellar room was torn off and that's really starting to bug me.

I still look over at your seat to see what you are doing. Kitty sometimes finds one of your hats and lays down beside it. She also started laying on your Rockies blanket instead of my Cubs one. Mouse is so fat I can hardly lift him. But he's still the loveable kitten inside.

I miss your laugh, I miss your smile, I miss your touch. I just miss you.