Hello everyone from beautiful downtown El Paso!

I approached my travel day from Cleveland to El Paso much like Ben Affleck's character in the movie "Argo" approached his flight out of Iran with the American hostages. Every step was a chance for disaster to strike. From checking out of the hotel, dropping off the rental car, getting the shuttle, checking in at the gate, clearing security, getting to the gate and boarding, there were many  anxious moments and dashes to the restroom. Finally, though, we were on board . We watched the jet bridge pull back, felt the speed build up while taxiing and felt that magic rise into the air which meant only one thing - no matter what happens I'm gonna end up at home where my kids and next chapter of healing awaited. I didn't pop champagne like the hostages, but I did celebrate and thank God quietly to my self.

That weekend was Easter. weekend and I was not able to arrange home health care to pack my swollen incisions. The wounds have to be irrigated and packed daily, so we were in a bit of a panic. Enter my awesome and generous cousin, Claudia, a Nurse Practitioner here in El Paso. She came over not only on both holy days with her toddler daughter. (Dressed in her Easter finery, no less.)  She also covered Monday when there was a glitch in the home health care orders.  Obviously I can never adequately repay a gesture like that, but suffice to say I will never forget her stepping up in such a big way. I know she is family but in her case, good people are just good people no matter the circumstances.  Claudia is a good person. 

My follow-up post-surgery appointment was yesterday. They told me that I probably have two weeks left until the incisions are fully healed and the "bathroom stuff" could persist for months. There has been incremental  progress but the frequency and suddenness of onset prevents me from confidently doing many of the household tasks - most importantly driving the kids to school and outside activities. Again, Sandra's parents Miguel and Maria have jumped in to fill the gaps. They may both be 77, but I defy anyone out there to match their energy level. Just amazing.

Like everything that I've been faced with so far, I have to accept it, fight it, and eventually overcome it. I'm moving in the right direction and as I've made clear - at this point, I have no complaints. I fully intend to recover and get back to normal or close to it.  

Experiencing so many dashes to the bathroom with mixed rates of success I am reminded of the famous book which I never read, but was first made aware of probably around the third grade. It brought a laugh then and it still does. I'm talking of course about the iconic bestseller "A Race to the Outhouse" by Willie Makit, illustrated by Kenny Holdit with a foreword by Betty Don't. Third grade humor was probably the pinnacle for me, as most of you know.

I hope you all feel an inside chuckle often at some third grade humor, it makes life a lot better. We're only walking this Earth for a predetermined set of days. Try to take each one and appreciate it, use it and remember it, cause it ain't gonna come again. A late Happy Easter from the Leydon/Hijar family. I love you all and appreciate you letting  me be in your lives.