Charlie is 70!

Dad is 70 today!!! 

Charlie Burress reached 70 years old today.  What a blessing he has been and continues to be to so many people!  I am so thankful that he made it through surgery last year and continues to go strong.  Please give him a big 70 wish if you get a chance. Oh, and thank you againg for all of your continued prayers and support.   

Dad's Little Brother

     Hi!  I know that it has been awhile since writing on this blog.   Charlie is doing great and recovering from his heart ordeal this past winter. Once again, he is traveling and speaking all around the globe.   I thank you for the support and prayers you gave and continue to give my dad. 

     Now I ask that everyone pray for my dad's little brother, Joe.  Remember Joe (the one on the left)?  He was the one at the hospital getting yelled at for making too much noise in the waiting room.  His karate moves, singing voice, and positive attitude exuded to all people at the hospital.  Joe always stopped to hug, pray, and encourage anyone who was struggling around him.  Well, Joe had a stroke last night and has limited function of his right side.  Joe is also struggling with his memory.  Please pray that his body and mind return to full functioning capacity and no more strokes are in his future.  Thank you.

Eighth week post-surgery

Charlie is doing great. His appetite is up, although all he wants is italian and mexican food at restaurants. Sorry, mom! Charlie and Kevin walk briskly every day, accomplishing about one-two miles at a time. Cardiac rehab is going well and dad can accomplish more on that treadmill than most people do without heart surgery. I'm sure Charlie is a big encouragement to everyone around him. The fellow heart patients, respiratory rehab patients, and family members all receive a dose of "Burress" with each visit. The cardiologist told Charlie that everything was going so well that a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist would be in four to six months!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for mom and dad. God is good and saw Charlie through the entire ordeal.

Driving, 6 weeks post-surgery!

Charlie drove for the first time yesterday! Cardiac rehab was the destination. The drive actually went so well that he was going to attempt the stick shift convertible today??? He loved being behind the wheel but I advised an automatic shifter, to continue the chest wall healing.

Dad and mom continue to be encouraged by all of your love.

With spring right around the corner, the fresh, warm air will be a welcome renewal to our days!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

- John 16:33

Cardiology visit

Charlie and Kevin with the grandkids in Colorado this past summer.

Dad saw the cardiologist today. He said that Charlie looks great for what he has been through! The cardiologist thought that dad's progress is good, but is still a bit concerned about some left over fluid in the left lung. I'm sure that more time will correct the problem.

Mom and dad are still very encouraged by everyone's constant support. Thank you for being there for them. It is so hard to be so far away. Thank goodness for computers and phones!

Thank you!

Charlie thanks you all for the cards, gifts, food, visits, and phone calls! Mom and dad have been completely encouraged by all of your support. Dad is feeling great. Aches and pains interrupt his plans for an active, energetic day. I think when he wakes up in the morning, he forgets that he has had major surgery. Your support has carried him through the days!

Dad found out that a long-time friend, also named Charlie, had had open heart surgery just 10 days after my dad did! He had a call from this friend after his daughter informed him of dad's ordeal. Only because kids of three long-term friendships had stayed in touch via facebook and email, had these long life friends known of their common predicament. Dad was energized by this amazing sequence of events. I say that the Lord carefully orchestrates each and every moment of our lives!

Healing and strengthening

Dad is feeling better with each passing day. His chest is sore, but healing slowly. Soon, the doctors want dad to start cardiac rehab. This will strengthen his chest wall and heart muscle over the coming months. Little do the physical therapists know, but they will have to slow Charlie down! Dr. Propp said that people like Charlie go to rehab to be instructed not on what to do, but what "not" to do!

I want to thank you all again for the love for mom and dad. They are incredibly strengthened emotionally by your kind words and gestures.

I love the words of Luke 12:7,

Why, even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Dad, here are some words from Coach Wooden:

"Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day."