Bens thanks for the Christmas card

I received a letter today from Ben. He informed me he wanted everyone to be able to read his response to the Christmas card Post thingy we created. I am posting this here as well as on foxfyredreamer.blogspot.com (if you have not been invited to the foxfyredreamer blog let me know as it is a PRIVATE blog. Members can also post.)

Hey,
I don't know what to say. I received a few cards this year and as always I am so grateful for those reminders that we are family and that we love one another. However, I have never been sent a card quite like the one I got this year. I cannot put into words the feeling I experienced as I opened the obviously homemade card and read the names and notes. This card was by far the most wonderful gift I have received in many years. I read each and every note carefully, and then read them all over again. Some who signed this card have not written me in years, and some send letters as unfailing and steadfast as the sunrise, but all were so very welcome. I could not have asked for a better family; and Jonathan, to name one, has been as great a source of strength and inspiration as a mountain waterfall heavy with spring rain is to an artist. You cannot know what it meant to me, this simple card of well wishing and the intentions it was built upon. Strange how the non-physical can mean so much at times. All that I can say is thank you. Truly, deeply, most sincerely, I thank you. I hope this year will bring happiness and prosperity to us all.
All my love,
Dave
The "card" he speaks of was a combination of a card I made and comments on this post. If you care to read them.

I also would like to add that NOW is the time to step up and give him hope. In his personal letter to me he let me know that he has felt...in limbo recently. He feels it is another stage of "institutionalization"...in his words:
"I now realize that I am scared to get out. I am immobilized and struck by confusion from a seemingly over-complicated world." ...."...I want to get out, but I am scared of it as well...when I start to think about it I get really tripped out."

He goes on to say that he will figure it out...but at the time of the writing he was feeling it pretty strong. Our timing on the calendar and moving forward full steam ahead in support of him...is probably inspired...after reading his thoughts.

Check out this blog!!!!

I was watching the news tonight and they had a little comment on a blog that is written by the grandson of a english WWI soldier. Basically they are all his letters that he sent home. The grandson does not tell us the fate of his grandfather as we have to live his life through the letters to find out his fate.
He started the blog in 2006 and explains a bit of background info first...then what he does is post on the same day as the letter was written 90yrs in the past (first letter is Feb 7th 1917 so he posted it on February 7th 2007). It is actually quite riveting..highly recommended.
You will have to go to archive and read it all backwards..but it is really interesting.
http://wwar1.blogspot.com

Ice pack for swelling...aches...etc...home remedy...

Well...I was looking online for a Ice-Pack to ice my back when it slips out...and came across a home remedy version. Neat idea...in the posts further down the page are even other ideas. We have a food saver vacuum packaging thing...which I could use to try this out...instead of ziplocks bags. I would have to pre freeze the substance or when getting vacuumed..it would not seal.