Thank you...

Thank you many times over, former President George W. Bush, for the professionalism you displayed on this day eight years ago. You calmed a nation that had been stunned beyond belief. A nation that had been plunged into the depths of something we had never faced as a country before.

We had grown complacent in how we lived daily. It was mostly about me, me, me, where ever and whatever we faced. Little did we know our world would be completely turned upside down in just a few minutes times. We suffered our own little shocks over what happened but there would be many thousands of people whose lives would be forever transformed into something they never saw coming on that beautiful morning in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Sharksville, PA.

They still deal with the horrible memories of that day. Much more than we do. I fear we have allowed ourselves as individuals, and as a country to slip back into the mode that our little world won't be turned over again. But I also fear, we are so mistaken.

On this day in 2001 all of us finally realized just how much we needed a leader. Someone who could lead us, calm us, stick with us showing leadership this country has never seen before. Everyone, Democrats, Republicans, Independants and those who never cared one way or the other felt the strength of President George W. Bush.

The years would take their toll on this president because he was forced and determined never to allow anything like this to happen again, not on his watch. We would see his hair turn grayer and lines form on his before innocent face as he made decisions everyday, sometimes having to fight with his opposition party as he tried hard to protect you and me. And yes, he even signed up again after the first four years to give it a try for another four.
And, in my opinion, he never blinked until he turned over the presidency in January of this year. He didn't allow anything so horrendous to happen the eight years he was in office.

He encouraged us to continue on living our lives as we had the day before. He also encouraged us to contribute to the future of our businesses by continuing to buy. He encouraged us to continue in service by helping those who needed our help in whatever way we could. He was an optimistic leader. He was exactly where he should have been at that particular time in our lives.

I remember hearing him take the oath of office in January 2001 when he swore to defend this country from the enemy, both foreign and domestic. There's a key word here...domestic. It made me proud to hear him say that. He would defend me, my family, my country, all those I loved, from the enemy both foreign and domestic. Domestic brought it home to my doorsteps. Little did he know he would be protecting us here on the domestic front for the next eight years.

I've since listened carefully to the oath of office others have taken. I heard the vice president promise this and I've heard new senators, members of congress, etc. anyone who has been connected to the government take that same oath. I missed hearing that word...domestic...when our last president took the oath of office. As I said, I listened very carefully, and it wasn't there. We weren't privy to the second oath he took in private because of a mix-up during the first one. I only pray that this was not an intentional omission and that he will indeed continue to keep all of us safe here in our homeland.

I tend to be a 'word' person. I try to listen carefully to whatever is said, or not said, and I interpret things the way they were said. I hope this was just a slip-up on my part, but I'm not so sure.

As we continue this day where we are remembering those who lost their lives because of people who set out to deliberately destroy and kill our people and our country, may we never forget the leader of this country the day it happened. He undertook an enormous responsibility to lead us. I'm proud of the physical and especially emotional toll he endured for us. I hope I never forget. I hope my grandchildren will all remember and we will continue to tell them as we discuss this horrible event, just how lucky we were to have been brought safely through this disaster.

To those who lost a loved one on September 11, 2001, God bless you as you continue to deal with your loss, and never give up hope. This country has always been a strong country, established by people with an eye toward freedom. May our enemy from outside or any who may be wishing us ill within our country never be successful in destroying what our forefathers envisioned and our men and women have fought and are fighting and dying to protect. God bless America and God bless each of us.

Another session finished!

Today was another day of therapy. Granddaddy and I have both been feeling puny for the last few days, but since I felt better I went ahead with my therapy even though I would have preferred to stay home. I am at the point where as my kids like to say, "I'm so over this!"

I did do some new things including lying on the bed on my tummy with my shoulder over the edge and a 3 lb. weight attached to my arm for swinging! He said I was ready for a 20 pound one and I complained about him adding the three pound one to my regimen.

He also increased the number of times I held those stupid three lb. weights up into a V shape and back almost to my side. He wasn't fooling me. The last time he almost killed me by having me do three sets of 12. I just didn't think I would make them it through all those lifts then and I knew I was doomed today, but somehow I did as he had increased them to three sets of 15 instead of the twelve.

He also did an evaluation and had me put both arms behind me at different times so he could measure how close I was on each side to the other. It was difficult but I think I pretty much got the left shoulder side up nearly as far as the good arm. I think he was more amazed at the strength I had in my good arm than in the other arm. He doesn't know I've had my experience wresting with two children in my lifetime. It makes a difference in your strength. I may be old, but I haven't gotten all that weak in these last years.

He also checked my strength in both arms pushing against and pulled toward him. Lately he has gotten to where he checks that strength check after I've done something pretty steneous.
Can't remember what it was, but it had left me pretty winded, so I didn't do quite as well as if he had let me rest.

I had it all alone this morning. I was his first appointment and no one came in for treatment while I was there. He said it was pretty light today but the rest of the week would be very busy.

Granddaddy stayed in the car and was going to take a stroll around the area for his exercise he misses the days I have therapy, but it sprinkled a little and he was afraid he would melt so he jumped back into the car and, I'm sure took his nap there today. He was coughing so much I was afraid they would think he gave them something just hearing him cough, so I suggested he stay outside today. I doubt he missed much since I was the only one there.

The soreness had not gotten better since Thursday session of stretching so he didn't do any more today, thank goodness. I don't know what the next one will be. I know I sure do dread that stretching even though I know I have to have it to make it better and I do want my usage back to normal.

He is planning three more weeks of sessions and feels I should be back to normal for the most part by the time I go back to the doctor. I certainly hope so. I'm ready for this to end. I've got other things to do.