reverie

A lot has happened since we met last. This past Thursday, my dad went to the emergency room for chest pains/tingling/tightness. The doctors decided it was best to keep him in the hospital and move up his surgery. He will be having open heart surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at 7:30am. The past several days have been an emotionally exhausting whirlwind to say the least. I am greatly looking forward to breathing a huge sigh of relief once my dad is out of surgery and back in his room to recover, and then when we can bring him home a few days later. I know he and my family are covered in prayer and I am so thankful for that.

My dad needs heart surgery. My dad needs heart surgery. I cannot wrap my mind around that. When I found out this morning, I wanted to puke, cry, and then curl up in bed for the rest of the day. I cried as little as possible as I still had to make it through the day at work. After work there were still plenty of things to attend--we discussed details for going to Omaha instead of the planned trip to India, I made dinner, and 2 of our amazing friends came over for coffee since we didn't feel like going out anywhere to meet them. Ashlee even picked up Starbucks for everyone. Now that I have reached the end of the day and am alone in my room, though, that pukey feeling has returned. I have no idea how to unwind from a day like this. I am trying not to predetermine that everyday will be like this until my dad is safe at home after surgery, but I don't see this uneasiness relenting any other way. My dad has several blockages in his heart, including a 99% blockage of what doctor

This morning my sister, my brother-in-law, and I went to the shooting range, and I got to shoot a gun for the first time. I wasn't the prodigy marksman I always hoped I might be, but I did alright. I got 3 shots in the bullseye and several in the surrounding inner circles. It was quite a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. I have a healthy respect for guns, and while I certainly hope I never need to use a one to protect myself, my family, or anyone else, I appreciate that I have the right to do so. I am extremely grateful for the freedoms afforded to us in America. I look forward to going to the range again, improving my aim, and figuring out what type of gun I am most comfortable with. After all I couldn't very well be a self-respecting Texan and not know how to handle a gun.

America lost a patriot today. Andrew Breitbart passed away early this morning. He was a tireless champion of freedom, a true journalist, and an American warrior. He loved this great nation and because of that many of us loved him. He was a hero and an inspiration. He refused to back down and he brought the truth to light. I never had the chance to meet Breitbart, so it feels a bit strange to cry at his passing, but there is certainly a void left behind. And while he is certainly irreplaceable, I have no doubt that his legacy will live on through thousands of Americans whom he has inspired to be fearless in the pursuit of truth and freedom. Andrew Breitbart was more than that, though. He was also a husband and a father of 4 children. I am especially sad for his family today, for as great as the loss is for America, the loss is of course so much more for them. I pray that they are surrounded with love and the kind of peace that only Our Father can grant them. May the outpourin