August 30, 2008
Update #25
WOW, Where Should I begin? It’s been so long since I’ve posted an update, its ridiculous…thanks for your patience!

Mom and Dad have now been back in Cedar Falls for two years. They absolutely do not regret one day of being back home (well maybe during the long bouts in the winter, a little Arizona sunshine would do them some good). They have incredible friends, outstanding neighbors and a wonderful support system! Thank you to everyone back home for making this transition the best it can be! It goes without saying the many thanks to Glen Jr./family next door for all they do, the move would have been much more difficult without them! Glen is our family angel :)

We just passed the 4-year mark of Dad’s accident (July 24th, 2004). Mentally he is hanging on and always sees the glass as half full. Physically he continues to make progress but it is slower than everyone would hope…darn it! He puts in a full day of therapies, upper body workouts, bike riding and his stand up machine. Although he is now lifting his arms higher than ever, he is still not able to feed himself…that time will come!

For the most part, Dad remains healthy; we think this is due to all the physical activity and his continued positive attitude. That’s not to say that the reality of this situation doesn’t sometimes get to him, how can it not!!!

Lisa, Lance and I (husbands and grandkids too!) have been back home more than a combined total of 25 times since our parents left; we try to have one of us there every two months. Mom comes to Arizona every 3-4 months for a week and when she does, Lance heads to Iowa to be the “around the clock” caretaker, he does a great job! He is quite the cook! Three grandkids add a lot of love to the situation. Jackson (Lisa’s son) is 5 ½, Taylor (Lori’s daughter) is 6 ½ and the newest member of the bunch…Blake, just turned two :). They love their Nini and Papa and always look forward to our trips to Iowa!

Nurse Janette, who traveled with Mom and Dad from Arizona and decided to stay for a year, has now been there for two years! We are very fortunate that she has decided to make Iowa her home and continues to be Dad’s primary caretaker, she is a blessing! We also have additional night and weekend nurses. We are equally grateful for their care and concern for our parents, they are greatly appreciated. .

Sept 6th marks a huge milestone for our family…it’s where it all began! Mom and Dad are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary; they deserve a huge round of applause. They have been an incredible example to many, especially their three (4) kids. We are grateful for the concrete foundation they created in our family dynamic, a circle that cannot be broken!

We will all be in Iowa to celebrate this wonderful occasion with a Friday night family gathering and a Saturday UNI Football Tailgate Party. Please stop by and say hello! I have posted details regarding the tailgate party on Dad’s website. We invite you to visit www.glenhenry.com and send your regards!

We hope you are all doing well, and this update finds you happy and healthy, life’s too short not to be!

With Love from the Dream Team