You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


We've been awfully busy these past few days with some wonderful time with this 17 month old little boy. Scott, true to form, arrived right on time Thursday night. On Friday morning Scott left for his 13th annual floattrip/whiffleball tournament, leaving Brayden with us. The float was on the Courtois River. The group who make the trip each year float little, play a lot, and come home very tired.

Scott returned here on Sunday to spend a little time with us and with Brayden before he returned to Louisville for his busy week.

Shirley got home from her sad week in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Saturday evening. Rose, Brayden, and I called for her at the airport. We had big plans to take Brayden to Mass on Sunday, but all of us were so tired we simply couldn't get our act together to do so. How in the world did our mother wash, iron, sew, dress all of us, and drive to town for Mass? And we never missed! Truly makes me believe in miracles.

We've been haunting the mailbox at the Oakland House, awaiting the report from Dr. Smith at the Mayo Clinic. So far, nothing has arrived but the bills. Someone in Smith's office told me on Tuesday that the results were very complicated and that Smith had briefed Dr. Dooley. I have yet to be briefed in spite of a number of calls to Dooley's office. The waiting is awful.

Chris' birthday was Tuesday. He is, unbelievably, 35 years old! He and Shelly are off to St. Thomas to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary this coming Saturday. He came by yesterday to get his birthday presents and to have lunch with us. Brayden got much more friendly with Chris during the luncheon.

I saw Mary Lenihen for a healing touch session yesterday, the first appointment I've been able to make since early June.

Margaret and Norman came yesterday morning, bearing gifts from their garden. There is nothing, NOTHING, like a home-grown tomato from the Abbott's garden. Yesterday evening Sabrina, Dave, and their sons Alex and Brett came for dinner. We had a great time with them, ending up in our workout room where the big boys tried the bike and treadmill.

Brayden has turned from a baby into a tall, slender little boy. He remembers us and seems to love being here. And now here is Shirley, bringing the little boy downstairs so that's the end of this update. Breakfast time. I have physical therapy at 9:30 so this morning is a bit more of a hussle than we are accustomed to.