It’s been four days now since Rockford bid his gallbladder adieu. Poppy and Pete were at their grandparents’ house until yesterday afternoon, so the first two days were pretty quiet. He’s not a terribly demanding patient, but it’s still been enough to remind me that I would be a terrible nurse. This care-taking business is exhausting.

Rockford is back to walking without clutching Pete’s pillow pet to his abdomen, he’s able to stand up and sit down on his own, and his appetite is back to about 90 percent of its prior capacity. So while he isn’t going to be winning the steeplechase any time soon, he’s getting back to normal. The most difficult part of his recovery so far, he says, has been having to think about every movement he makes. He isn’t used to moving quite so cautiously.

Thank you all for your prayers and kind thoughts. Keep ’em coming! We can use them even when all is well.