We are at the eve of 9 weeks out from Harry's surgery.  I had the joy of being there as dad hit the 8 week anniversary this past Friday.  8 weeks stands out because that is when the majority of dad's restrictions lifted!  He still can't hold a rifle up on his shoulder and take the impact of the recoil or magnificently twist his torso through a golf swing, but other than that he can celebrate everything else being lifted!

It was pretty awesome to return to Minnesota and have dad greet me no longer being plugged in to oxygen or pushing around the walker.   While I was gone he graduated from oxygen only at night to no longer needing it at all.  And that walker has been kicked to the curb, er ... well ... the corner of the house - but the big news is he can walk on his own!  We went on a few strolls while I was there, disguised as physical therapy, and took in fall color since that is something I am no longer treated to in Austin, TX.  I was bumped right back to childhood as well, taking a place in the backseat of the car as my dad drove me and mom around town!  Yep, Harry drove a car!  All this progress means he graduated from in-home therapy and started cardiac rehab in a PT facility on Monday!  Dad lost a significant chunk of muscle mass while he was lounging in those posh hospitals eating pudding, so he has some work ahead of him.  But he is determined and I know he will get there.

Kristin remains a solid piece of our family puzzle and continues to be invaluable to us.  While dad has restrictions lifted, he still cannot help in my mom's care just yet.  Those muscles I mentioned earlier?  They are pretty important to stability and helping out with mom.  But I know he will clear that hurdle too in the next weeks.  He is really doing so well, quite independent now, and getting back his sassy ways ;)  All of the thoughts and prays must have determinedly spun in a tumbler, as we are seeing beautiful stones of strength emerge!