THE FOLLOWING IS A LETTER I HAVE MAILED TO MY NIECE AND HER HUSBAND
Dear Wayne and Colleen. 22 Dec 2018
After my last handwritten letter, I thought I should type this one,
Although, I’ll still try handwriting, most of the time.
We hope you have a great Christmas holiday season full of love and warmth, followed by a great new year.
The last half of 2018 was quite a struggle for both of us. Donna is one of thousands of Utahns that do not fare well when the low hanging smog rolls in. In addition to lots of coughing, she gets lots of throat burn.
As for me, finally, after about nine weeks, I am nearly back to normal. Minor aches and pains still exist, but by end of January I should be okay. The falls have really made my walking sluggish and slow, but I get around fine with a very tall stick.
From Thanksgiving until yesterday, the valley floor had been covered with snow. Warmer weather melted the snow all away, although there is still much snow on the mountains.
Chelsi, Tammy’s oldest girl, should have a baby boy (Briar) by the middle of January. Briar's father is Colton Sharp. He works with his uncle in the construction business. Don’t know much else to tell you.
One of the ladies in Donna’s ceramic class will begin the class again in February, It will be good for them to get out of the house, again, and enjoy each others long standing fellowship. Well, that’s about all the news we have. Love--(didn't get mailed, way too busy!)
January 10, 2019-----We interrupt this slow pony express letter for the latest news. Briar Sharp, our first great grandson was born just a few minutes before midnight on January 9, 2019. (His deceased Aunt Sandy was born on the same day in 1949—She probably had a hand in this coincident.) He weighed in at 8 pounds. He has had troubles from the start, has suffered a seizure and is in intensive care at the major IHC hospital in Murray, Utah. Present condition unknown. Please pray for him.
Sorry there was such a gap between first writing and this second one. We’ll try to do better next time, but no absolute guarantees. Love Bill and Donna.
January 16,2019. I think I’ll turn this letter into a novelette. So much has happened since 1.09.2019, my typing has not been able to keep up with it,---especially at my typing speed.
By the 11th of January, our newborn, great grandson, Briar Dean Sharp, 2 days old, had experienced at least 2 seizures and a stroke. Things were beginning to look a little seriously serious.
On Saturday morning, January 12, family members were doing a lot of praying. We gathered at the hospital to give him a blessing. Both parents were there. Grandparents on both sides were there. Donna and I represented one set of the great grandparents in this historic chain of love.
The blessing was given. Afterwards, we stood around and talked and hugged and comforted each other, expecting and hoping for the best. (I don’t think there were any doubters in our crowd, at this time. We all left and went our separate ways.
Sunday, the thirteenth was a silent day. Colten and Chelsi watched over their baby, Briar. No word. No communication.
Around noon on Monday, the fourteenth, Donna received a Facebook picture of Briar, with all wires removed. His grin was just a little bit wider than the Grand Canyon. The next day, Briar was dressed in an outfit with white and black stripes (prison style) and white grandpa nightcap, more than ready to go home with his mom and dad.
Some people can’t believe in miracles, but I do.
The reason I was able to type this much today and finish this fine story is that Donna is asleep having just had an upper endoscopy looking for a cause of excessive heartburn. (And we thought old age was going to be fun! I guess it all depends on how we spell fun.)
Really though, it’s great to be alive. There are literally millions of reasons to thankful for living in this time and age!
Hey, it’s a wrap. Can you believe it. Where’s Ripley when you need him!
Love, Bill and Donna
January 20, 2019 Briar and his parents continue to do well.