We sing because we're happy, we sing because we're free...

Mike is completely off the ventilator, which is great. His recovery from the surgical procedure is going excellent. No complications there.

His is still pretty heavily doped up, which is very good, because what he needs most now is rest. It is a horribly frustrating situation because Kathy, Michelle and I want to be with him all the time, but when we are in the room, despite his surgery, he at first tries to talk to us and then tries to comfort us. This, in turn gets him anxious and is not conducive to resting. That is Mike, always thinking about the comfort of others, no matter his own situation. That is why we love him so.

He will be in MICU for at least one more day, most likely two and possibly three. We are still trying to determine many things; will he be able to swallow on his own, will he need a permanent feeding tube, etc. Also, I must warn everyone, for all practical purposes, he no longer has a working tongue. As you can imagine, this will cause him great difficulties with which he must adapt. But I also have to say, his spirit is undimmed. This afternoon I held his head in my hands and was able to tell him how much I and all of you love him, and seeing the light in his eyes filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. This wonderful man and his amazing wife have given their lives to their family. I almost, at one point today, threw a pity party and kept saying over and over in my head, "This man, of all men, does not deserve this." Then I remembered, last night, when my mom and I went to go see him for the first time after surgery, accidentally walking into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. It is hard to think of anything happening to a 61 year-old (or a 33 year-old, for that matter) that is somehow more tragic than watching a poor, sweet child suffering. It was then I knew that no one really does or doesn't deserve anything. That is not what this life is about. As horrible as this time is for Mike, in the midst of it all, my father will still touch people's lives and change them for the better. That is why all of these unexplainable things happen. When there is Love, it isn't a waste, it isn't in vain, it isn't for naught.

This is also going to be tough for all of you that love Mike (New achronym: AOYTLM)because you will want to see him soon and tell him, like I did so many times today, that you love him. Please have patience. I will keep everyone informed as to when he can receive visitors. That will be up to the Doctors and Mike. He has a lot of resting and healing to do. Just know that all of your comments, calls and good wishes are being shared with him and I know he would tell you all what he mouthed to me today, "I love you."

Because my father is the man he is, he is already trying to make things "easier" on the nurses and the Charge Nurse who is watching him, isn't having any of it. He also tries to apologize to his wife and children for not being able to talk. His heart is just so big.

Darkness is trying to push it's way in all around us, but we are pushing back. Mike is pushing the hardest. I heard the Mississippi Boys Choir singing "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" earlier tonight, and there is a part that always makes me tear up and smile at the same time. When I have the pleasure of singing it, I feel as if my soul might just explode. "I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Mike, Kathy, Michelle, Dennis, Adam and Nicole are still singing. We may have tears streaming down our face, but we also have a broad smile and a fierce glow in our hearts.

Please sing with us.

All of our love,

Adam