Hello, friends and family of Bill and Linda Roemer!

It's been almost two months since the last CaringBridge journal entry:   

Medical

During that time, Bill has been visiting Linda in her room at the skilled nursing wing almost every day -- they follow a televised exercise routine together in the mornings.  

Our father also has a new physical therapist (Mike) who comes to the house on Mondays and Fridays to help him work on improving his balance.  The exercises are challenging inasmuch as it may seem that a fall is imminent.  However, Mike has a good grip on Bill's belt and is there as a coach and spotter.  Hey, maybe we have a new summer Olympic event somewhere in the offing?  

The good news is that our dad knows when he's off-balance and is able to catch himself.  According to Mike, many of his clients don't have that ability and can end up on the floor with absolutely no warning.   

And within the past month, our father's nausea was finally "cured."  Rapid motions and bending over were identified as triggers.  As a result, motion-sickness medication was prescribed.  And within a few days, things were much improved.  Meclizine to the rescue!! 

Social

The highlight of the past two months was a family gathering held in Pennsylvania to celebrate Bill and Linda's 65th wedding anniversary on June 30th.

There were 18 of us present, arriving from New York, Illinois, California and Oregon.   We stayed in a large home and a smaller townhouse on the grounds of Nemacolin Woodlands for 5 nights.  (It's a resort out in the "boonies" where one can relax by the pool, get a massage, tour their outdoor sculpture collection, check out the local historical sites, explore Laurel Caverns, etc. )   

Our parents were very touched by the outpouring of love and well-wishes in celebration of their long and happy marriage.  After dinner we adjourned to the house to watch a video created by Sarah of Happy Anniversary greetings from friends and family.

We all took turns hanging out with Bill/Linda, helping them get in/out of vehicles on our way to various restaurants.  One night, my hubby Dave and I served a dinner of home-made spaghetti and meatballs, salad and garlic toast.  Nephew Grey (age 8) honed his skills as chief bread butterer.  And Dave brought a rolling pin and pie pans from Oregon in order to bake two chocolate bourbon pecan pies for dessert.  Mmmmm

According to Bill, the family gathering  wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining, had it not been for the presence of the two great-grandchildren.  Lilly (age 4 and 8 months) and her brother Leo (age 2 and 10 months) were energizer bunnies!  They really enjoyed interacting with relatives they'd never met before. 

One of the sweetest moments was when Lilly asked Linda to read her a story & her great-grandmother happily obliged.  

The weather cooperated for the most part and it wasn't too muggy.  I'd forgotten how humid Pittsburgh can get!  After dinner one evening, a beautiful rainbow appeared outside the restaurant and the kids (young and old) ran out for a closer view.  It appeared that the rainbow ended in the vicinity of the on-site casino...  

On a happy and grateful note, this concludes the CaringBridge journal for Bill Roemer.  He's back to sending emails, returning calls and doing the best he can to speed his recovery!   

Many, many thanks for holding our father up in prayer during his medical crisis and over the past 4-1/2 months.  It has meant the world to Bill, Linda and our entire family!!

Blessings to you all.