Here we go again....

[BigAlsRK]

You guys have been with us through the bike accident, Darla's biopsy, our son Jeremy's redeployment to Iraq, the anniversary of my brother's passing and once again I come to you for strength. Our son Jason (Army Okinawa) has just had surgery to correct a hernia....and while going thru that they discovered some problems with his hip joint which will require another surgery to correct. This will wash him out of attending Ranger School and could possibly have him medically discharged....a severe blow to him.

Our daughter Ashley (My Little Angel) has been complaining of ankle pain...well we took her to my ortho doc...and she is scheduled for surgery on her right ankle after school ends. She also has to wear a brace on her left foot to correct a problem with her Achilles tendon for at least 6 weeks.

My Mother is suffering from Alzheimer's and her periods of cognizant thought are getting fewer and shorter in duration. We moved her and my Father from Vegas to here so they could be close to us and we could look out for them. I have a feeling that we will be sending her to a "home" in the near future....and that just kills my Father...they have been married for 60 years. My Dad is 82 and is great health but this daily dealing with Mom is running him down...and that worries us as well.

Please understand that this is not a "Poor Pitiful Me" post. This post is to say "Thank You" to all of you..our Brothers and Sisters...because without you I know we would have a harder time getting thru all this. We have always been believers and have had great faith in the "What does not kill us can only serve to make us stronger" life philosophy..and if that philosophy holds true then Lil' Rascal and I can move mountains.


Sorry such a long post.....just saying:thankssign: .


Big Al and Lil' Rascal

[GrayRider]

Al, you and your family are in my prayers daily. Things will work out, bro.

[TerryMiller]

Al taking care of your parents is tough when it gets near the end. I'm not sure if you're in on the "Living Will" and "Medical Power of Attorney" stuff, but even if you have their best interest at heart ya have to justify it to yourself over and over. Eventually (I hope) that goes away and you're left knowing ya did the best for them when they couldn't do for themselves.

[GRock]

Big Al,

Life is funny sometimes. I usually say you have to take the good with the bad, but you and yours are getting extra helpings of the bad for a while now. Here's to the day when your extra share of the good comes...... and it will. Without a doubt.

[TalonChief]

Al, you & the family remain in my thoughts & prayers.

[Keeper]

keep the faith and strength. we're pulling for you all.

[MegaGlide]

Big Al, your family remains in my prayers as well.
So far, they're working!

[dynageno]

Your in our thoughts and prayers Big Al. Life deals some crushing blows at times and it gets real hard to cope, but you and rascal stay strong.

[route66paul]

A living will is a good thing. When people wait, with the problems, other things fall through the cracks. You can have a lot of problems if you don't have control.
Maybe the hip thing is a blessing. Most, if not all, of our service people that have been deployed over there have had BIG problems if they return. Serving your country is all very well, but maybe it is better to be away from there.
These setbacks in life is what keeps us strong. It sure seems that you and yours have had a hard time of it lately, but I am sure that there are many great things, too. You seem to be taking it well, my down time had me in deep, dark, depression. The best thing we can do is to face the day every day and try to get something good out of it.
You guys are real, and I feel for your pain, I just hope that you can have a little smile when you come into our insanity.

[billymac]

Stay strong. You certainly are having more than your share of challenges. Smile, keep your head down and keep moving forward. Maybe we should change your Doof name to "Job"! Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[harleyjsb]

We got ya' in our prayers,Al.............

[Big Tom]

Thoughts & prayers to you and your family Al. Sometimes posting your thoughts help provide a release of you frustrations. Post away, we all will be here for you.

[BigAlsRK]

Al taking care of your parents is tough when it gets near the end. I'm not sure if you're in on the "Living Will" and "Medical Power of Attorney" stuff, but even if you have their best interest at heart ya have to justify it to yourself over and over. Eventually (I hope) that goes away and you're left knowing ya did the best for them when they couldn't do for themselves.
Yep got the Living Will and both the Medical and Standard Powers of Attorney...thanks guys I really appreciate it.

[y2k king]

hang in there al...we're all behind ya.

[8-Ball]

Geez AL.... I'd be thinking about having someone feng shui your house. What could it hurt... and I'm serious.

I go by the Everything IS Perfect rule. All things happen for a reason and the reason is spiritual growth.

This reminds me of a story...

A holy man is walking down a jungle path followed by his disciple of several years. All of the sudden, the disciple steps on a jagged stone and cuts his foot open. The disciple screams and lets out a stream of aggitated profanity.

The holy man calmly turned and instructed his disciple, "My son, my son, all is perfect and happens for a reason... be happy with your injury."

The disciple, having had about enough of the old mans' platitudes, sank into a private rage, but continued to limp along the path in pain.

The two came upon a clearing with a well. The holy man wallked up to the well and grabbed the bucket to fetch himself and the disciple a drink. At that moment, the disciple saw his chance to escape his situation and pushed the old man into the well and then ran off into the jungle.

Some time later, the disciple found himself surrounded by cannibals. They quickly subdued him and brought him back to their village.

When he awoke, the disciple found himself in a large hut surrounded by the women of the village. They were bathing him from the head down and annointing him with fragrant oils. When the women reached his gashed foot, they stopped and spoke amongst themselves in disquieting tones. Then they rushed out of hut; leaving him there alone.

In a very short time, the tribal elders entered the room and began examining the wound. Then one of them spoke to the boy, "Young man, you were to have the honor of the highest sacrifice this very day, but I'm sorry to tell you that the subject of this sacred rite must be whole. You will not do." With that they released his bonds and set him free.

The disciple, charged with great emotion, ran straight back for the well where he had left his master.

Upon reaching the well, he threw his head over and released what had been building in his heart and mind since he left the village, "Master, master, you were right. ALL things ARE perfect. All things DO happen for a reason. Please forgive my transgression. Had I not cut my foot open, they would have eaten me!!!"

The holy man, calm and serene, looked up at the boy and said, ".... and had you not thrown me in the well... they'd have eaten me."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Prayers to you and all of your family, AL....

Mike

[Keeper]

:roflback: :lol: :lol:

PERFECT

[BigAlsRK]

Thanks Mike....We really appreciate it. But as true Doof I will just have to tell you when I read the story...being the doof that I am...i was waiting for the punch line...ya know like "I don't know but the one in middle looks like Willie Nelson!!"

You guys, combined with prayer, my warped sense of humor, and the ability for Darla and I to always find the good in every bad situation is what has kept us sane!!!

[rk custom]

as always Al
thoughts and prayers from NOR*CAL

[dwarthog]

Prayers from here too Al.

[wibiker]

Prayers out from here for you Al. no doubt all life altering events. you cannot escape only endure. Friends and laughter. family and god. these things are bittersweet. Bless you and yours

[Biker Bry]

Al, I feel for you and your family!
Mrs. Stinky and I will pray for your family to get by these trials and give you more blessings. You have always been a reasonable and caring individual. Good luck and God be with you.

[THEBEAR]

Sounds like you have the makings for a great Blues song Al. I tell ya, when it rains it pours, but this too in time shall pass, prayers sent from CT.

[duhast]

get all needed papers signed now while they're able. Notarized too.

Durable P of A, Durable Health P of A, and If there is a Trust, see if they'll resign Trusteeship so you can get it now. When they get shakey mentally, it's almost too late.

The stress I'm going thru now after mom's passing is even making my bald spot turn grey.....

[Fireberry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz32I_GbpeU&mode=related&search=

[captainlee]

the best advise I have ever been given was recently. " how can you recognize the good times if you never had bad times. "



here's praying for the best for you and your family !!

[Scabbydoo]

Al, to you Darla and your entire family go my warmest thoughts and prayers.

[twinV]

Prayers still with you and yours BigAL.

[Lady Godiva]

Hey Al - boy, you guys have had a lot to deal with lately. I know it sucks but I believe things happen for a reason, whether they're good or bad. You may not ever know the reason something bad happens, or you may not find out until years later, but as GRock said, I hope this means that there'll be a time coming up when everything goes your way and GOOD things happen!

I'll give you an example: When I moved down here I gave up my friends, family and a great-paying job to give it a try with a guy I'd known for years. Things didn't work out and we broke up after a couple years, and I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life moving here, but lo and behold, then I met Travus, who I ended up marrying almost 2 years ago! If I hadn't been down here and my first relationship hadn't have failed, I never would've met Travus!

You guys are still in my thoughts and prayers, as always! You know your friends are here for you!

[Stone Cold]

Thoughts and Prayers sent your way Al...

[polarbear]

Thoughts and prayers continuing from Kansas, Al and Darla.


Polarbear

[racindude]

Prayers being sent down from Illinois Big Al..................things just got to get better..........



just prayin'




.

[route66paul]

Hey Al - boy, you guys have had a lot to deal with lately. I know it sucks but I believe things happen for a reason, whether they're good or bad. You may not ever know the reason something bad happens, or you may not find out until years later, but as GRock said, I hope this means that there'll be a time coming up when everything goes your way and GOOD things happen!

I'll give you an example: When I moved down here I gave up my friends, family and a great-paying job to give it a try with a guy I'd known for years. Things didn't work out and we broke up after a couple years, and I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life moving here, but lo and behold, then I met Travus, who I ended up marrying almost 2 years ago! If I hadn't been down here and my first relationship hadn't have failed, I never would've met Travus!

You guys are still in my thoughts and prayers, as always! You know your friends are here for you!

How many alligators named Travis could you have met in Michigan?