Jack update II and Zack

Jack is home now. I think it was a little premature to take him home but they are handling it so far. Mark surprised them with a visit over Memorial Day and he stayed at their house and helped out. Jack has a hard time getting up from low seats so Kelly found him a lift chair that he can watch t.v. in and got him a high toilet seat. Dave and Mark put grab bars in the bathrooms and he has a therapist come in to help him build up his strength. Kelly came down and helped him take a shower. We had a BBQ on Monday at their house. Jack and Gennie loved seeing everyone. Kelly brought her family, and Brandon, Jodie, us, Bob and Diane. I called this morning to see how they were doing since Mark left. Jack said that Gennie was learning how to help him up when he needed it and they were getting by ok. His mind is slipping a little...He thought someone was at the door when the phone rang. Sometimes he tries to stay in goos spirits and other times he is quite grumpy and stubborn. I think he is tired of living with the effects of old age. He told me he loved me when he hung up the phone. It's a nice way to end a conversation.

Zack has exactly 7 weeks left before he leaves on his mission. We bought him two suits and four shirts, 4 pair of socks and a tie. He has one pair of shoes that he will take with him. Joyce gave us a long coat and said she has some lined gloves and she thinks she can hook us up with some luggage. Someone gave him a pocket-size hymn book and Cindy S. gave him some handkerchiefs. I told him it was a good idea to keep one in is pocket so he could wipe his sweaty hands before he shakes hands with people. I don't know where he got that from. Neither Dave or I get sweaty hands like that. Dave bought him a nice quad. We are planning on his "Last opportunity to speak" on July 13th, 11:00 a.m. 1900 N. 1000 E., Lehi. We will probably have a family/friends get-together the day before, because I have a class to teach and the Church asks us not to skip out for missionary dinners.

I am very excited for Zack to have this opportunity to serve a mission and have this experience in his life. Yet, my heart aches every time I think of being separated from him for such a long time. Zack and I try to go to the temple every week and we have enjoyed working together. I know he will be just fine, but I will miss him so much. I can selfishly say that this will be a hard transition for me. It makes me cry every time I think about it. I never thought it would be so hard to let someone grow up. I had better stop now and think about the weeds I need to pull so I can get these tears under control.