Well, I'm back up and almost kicking. I just got out of the hospital after two months, which is why some of your e-mails haven't been answered! I had meningitis, which caused such great things as a seizure, a coma, and coming close enough to going on to Glory to get The Church in to say good-bye. I made it through with a 3-week memory lapse and no other real scars. After I was released I went to rehab where I obtained blood clots in my leg. One of these broke loose, went through my heart and collapsed part of my left lung. I hope all of you will forgive me from not answering your e-mail and being late on the trades.

I am doing fine now and am at home. I have to use a walker and wheel chair to get around, but I get to park in the close spots! My legs are strong (I think stronger than when I started) but my balance is off and my stamina is not that great. The good news is I got released 4 months before they expected and there is no brain damage, although I have a small problem with short-term memory.

I firmly believe that the reason I am here typing this out is all the prayers that went up for me. I am still finding people and churches that lifted my name up in prayer during this time of trial that I didn't even know. I have never in my life felt as loved and as part of God's family as I have during this time. When I did come home my house was covered with balloons, cards, plants, stuffed animals, candy and other gifts of affection. I am still receiving letters, e-mails and calls from people checking up for me. This has made my life worth living and made me glad it didn't end.

I'd like to take a little space here to thank and commend my beautiful and loving wife, Karen, for being there all through my illness. She totally put her life and career on hold to stay by my bedside and make sure I was well taken care of. I don't have much recall of the first three weeks of my hospital stay, but the few times I do remember she was always there. Even now she has become my personal nurse, helping me get around and waiting on me hand and foot. I believe that there are very few men that are as lucky as I to have a wife such as her.

I'd also like to thank Bill Kopp for taking the time to put up a notice on this site that I was sick and to check my e-mails as time permitted.

Each day is better than the one before, and I'm trying to get back to work. In the meantime I am keeping busy listening to Beatles Boots, making tapes and CDRs, playing games, and surfing the Net. If you've gotten this far in my ramblings, how 'bout saying a prayer tonight that I will continue to heal and will soon be at 100 percent.

Thanx

-7ater