Just call me Rip Van Winkle

Hello to you! How in the heck is every little thing? Not too shabby here, but you know it can always be better...of course, we must try to remember it can always be worse! Mom and I are back safely from our whirlwind trip to visit my Great Papaw Sloan. The news is terribly sad and I am afraid to report his prognosis is weeks at best, likely days. You will be reassured to know he is still in good spirits and taking all of these new developments in admirable stride. For those of you who have not met him, how unfortunate for you, he is a strong, oak of a man. Even at his worst, he still looks inconquerable to mom and me. Mom was thankful to have a few minutes alone with him. She got to give him a foot rub and they talked a little, more than worth the 13 hours of driving in her mind. Papaw is hanging in there and fighting the good fight. He has been in terrible pain for the last few years and says he is worn out from that. When we left from our visit, he seem to be a little more comfortable and that's all we can pray for. He isn't feeling up to eating too much, but he drinks some water and is a champ with the vast array of visitors that have come to pay their respects to him. How they all love him! I bet the VA has never seen such a sight. The halls were lined with Sloans on both sides and what a sight to see! Mom says they were all (and always are) a sight for sore eyes! We always say, there is NOTHING more important than family. I guess that's why we are so lonely here in UB. At times like these we seem worlds away. Poor mom in torn to pieces about wanting to be in two places at once. Dad and I are trying to cheer her up, but you know what a worrier she is! On top of that, after my nearly FOUR hour nap today (do you think I was happy to be back in my crib?), I awoke with a fever. I threw up last night while Dad was feeding me dinner, not the parent in this family you want to puke on. Needless to say, I almost started a barf-o-rama. The good news is I was the lone up-chucker. Mom said she was feeling a little queasy today, but you know how impressionable she is. I am sharing some pics with you of my great Papaw Sloan. The first two are from Christmas of 2005 when Dad was in Iraq. Mom had a wonderful holiday with her family, though you know she was missing Dad like CRAZY. The next two pics are from this summer when I very first met Mamaw and Papaw Sloan. The following two are again from Christmas 05. We have another update as I write this blog and again the news is bleak. Please pray God is swift and kind with him and ends his suffering very soon. I am sorry we don't have better news to report today. In fact, I actually do have a little. Uncle Bart shouldn't have much longer now. By our last count, he will be back in our great country in less than a week. Another blessing to be thankful for...well, I better get going. I have tupperware in m&d's cabinet to organize. Keep the Sloan family in your thoughts and prayers as we don't know what we'll do without our beautiful patriarch. Under the circumstances, it was wonderful as always to see them all. I got to chat with my cousin, Sawyer D, who briefly taught me how to flush the toilet. Sure enough, he was exactly right, it worked like a charm at Papaw Bill's that very evening. We know cousin Stephanie will get a laugh out of that. Congrats goes out to her for her new job, although mom admits, she is quite jealous. Also, a big thanks goes out to Grammy J for attempting to keep me under wraps while mom visited with her grandpa. I definitely gave her, in fact, a whole slew of them, quite a run for their money. Poor mom's biceps were sore from lifting me up so much! Dad told her she needs to hit the gym, no surprise there. We also got to meet quite a honey, our cousin, Katelyn Sayre. You should've seen mom balancing each of the two of us on her hips. She says she'll have to increase her calorie intake and beef up those hips before the next Bryant comes along. Relax Gramma B, no news on that front yet. Lastly, we are happy to report Ms. Michele is coming all with her recovery quite well. I will let you know more about her after we reunite at her house this week. While I am looking forward to being with my friends, mom is dreading going back to work without yours truly. You know how we love our time together and the last few days have spoiled us. We will keep you posted. Until next time, we'll be thinking of you and wishing you nothing but the best. Lots of love to you and your kin, Cooper B.