I called up just a few minutes ago to check on Sheila.  She hasn't been feeling well at all today and it wouldn't have surprised me at all if she had gone to bed.  But she did answer, but in a different voice.  She is temporarily an alto instead of a soprano.  She will have a chance to sleep in tomorrow because the Draper Temple is closed for the first two weeks of February.  Come Wednesday I will celebrate my 02/02/02 anniversary.  That was when we were in Colorado Springs right after Hunter was born.  As you know I ended up in the same hospital that Shelli and Hunter were in.  I have a pretty solid memory of that Saturday morning at about 8:30 am when I had my stroke.  I can't say I'm glad it happened.  Nor can I, even after 9 years, point out any specific bit of wisdom that I learned from it. But it was what it was, and it is what it is.  I hope that it will count for something good when the final count is tallied.  Then on Sunday there is another anniversary.  With # 42 upon us it is becoming more and more plausible for me to start thinking: 50.  Boy, that is something.  I can hardly imagine that happening.  But that is another 8 years and so it is far ahead in the future.  (Just like 42 was 42 years ago!)

My Monday has worked its transition magic again.  I am changed from my weekend and Sunday frame of mind and back to work, work and more work.  But this winter sees especially cold to me.  Several times through the day I have to put on a jacket  to warm me up while I am working in my office.  And now Sheila is sick before I got completely well.  So the two of us will nurse the other and we will muddle along trying to make our days productive and figure out what we can do this weekend to celebrate our time together.  Whatever we do the best part will be Sunday evening when you-all make it to our place and spend some time with us.  After all you are the reason and result of those 42 years.  And frankly, we like having you around.