**

I meant to add this as a fourth bit of Randomosity in my last post but I didn't think it would go well with the joke about "Old Sarge." If you don't get that reference read yesterday's post.

My MIL has been a constant friend to me. Even with all that went on in the past year ... the animosity, the accusations, the separation ... she always took time to tell me all was well with her and she held no grudge. She has always been friendly and let me know that I would always be a part of HER family no matter what happened and what the other sisters thought of me.

That dear woman has been diagnosed with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. She has lived by herself, carrying on the family traditions and her own life's schedule since Paw died nine years ago. She is an amazing woman and I am proud to call her my MIL. She is 78 years old.

She was also recently diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and, more seriously, a brain tumor. She went through the battery of tests like any good lab rat going through the complicated maze of this nation's health care system and the doctors came to a conclusion. They would remove the cataracts but leave the brain tumor alone. It wasn't growing and didn't seem to be affecting anything, so they were going to keep an eye on it and see what happens.

That was a month ago.

They have scheduled her for surgery to remove the tumor October 8th. I don't know what changed. I don't know what happened. Is it getting bigger? I don't know. I DO know that they see it is affecting her eyesight and now they say it has to go.

My wife asked me to be there with her on that day and that was a part of the reconciliation decision. I know there are a million mother-in-law jokes, but this woman has been my friend, my confidant at times, my comforter ... more like a mother than just some woman who let me marry her daughter.

I would ask you to pray, send good thoughts, light a candle ... whatever you do to call out to your higher power including sacrificing a goat, if that's what you believe in. Ask for her surgery to be successful and for her to make a complete recovery. I would consider it a personal favor to me.

I thank you in advance.