Post surgery

Happy Easter Elder Rivera!

This has been a very quiet Easter for us so far around here. Your mom’s doing pretty well today considering everything. She had a good nights rest last night, much better than the night before. I made her avocado toast this morning, then we ate some of the apples and cheese grandma brought by yesterday. Your brothers are enjoying the perfect weather of San Francisco this morning. 

Your mom situation and the Eastern season has had me thinking a little more spiritually than normal. Mom was talking about her chest pain and her high heart rate how she thought of Jesus on the cross and how he knows her exact pain because of that. I see her recovery as kind of a model of the resurrection. I am genuinely enjoying taking care of her and thought of those disciples that took care of them and gave him the tomb. I know I’m just rambling, but I’m trying to understand and build my relationship with Christ. I know that he loves and understands us and our trials, but I want to know him better.

Anyway, not a ton is going on here other than what I already mentioned. Yesterday was mostly tracking your brothers on their trip out, I was worried about the weather but they made it through and the little ford seemed to function well.  

We finally got news on the little jeep. Yes it’s totaled, kinda sad, but not really. I was thinking about getting mom a newer car and just letting you and Jacob share her Buick, but with interest rates right now payments may be a little high for that. So I’m looking to replace the little jeep as soon as possible with something that’s hopefully a little more reliable, it will most likely be equally dorky though. For example, last week I went and test drove a Buick Verano. Imagine a car the size of Ben’s with the style of moms suv. It actually drove super nicely and if I had the check from the insurance company I probably would’ve bought it. Right now I have my eye on a Kia soul. I’m going to check it out as soon as I get the check.

I went to Sam’s Club yesterday for groceries and came home with a drone. The DJI Mini SE was on sale and asked your mother if I could by myself a birthday present. It is the least expensive drone that DJI makes right now but gets good reviews and seems suitable for beginners. I’ve been charging up the batteries (it was bundled with an extra) and charger. I have to admit that it’s a little daunting for me because of our last experience. I’m looking forward though to taking it on our adventures. 

It was raining on and off yesterday but I managed to get some chores done. I’m starting to see the value of mechanized gardening. Last week I used my cheap dethatcher for the lawn. Yesterday I used my winch to pull some bushes out of the front yard, that was fun and the winch worked well. Finally, I have a blade on my trimmer that helped me destroy that little overgrown garden next to the front steps. I still have a bunch of work to do in there, I want to pull EVERYTHING out. That’s the same little garden where that gopher snake lives and there’s evidence of his hunting. As I pulled debris out I kept finding tufts of brown and black fur through the underbrush. I hope clearing this out doesn’t chase the snake away, I assume he’s still hibernating, and I hope he stays. I’m going to nuke the rest of the weeds and morning glory in there with poison and follow up with a yet to be purchased flame thrower on the dead weeds. I researched and found that that’s the best way to kill morning glory, but I’m guessing that will make life for the snake pretty hard.

We just got off a FaceTime with your brothers. They went to Fred’s this morning and we’re near the Golden Gate Bridge when they called. I’m glad they’re having fun.

It’s back to work for me tomorrow. I feel like it’s been forever and I’m both looking forward to it and a bit apprehensive. I’m sure there will be plenty waiting for me. They’ve been kind and understanding about it. But it’s still a job.

Well kiddo, this is a super short letter, but I consider it a good one because your mother is literally doing as well as possible for her situation, and I am so grateful for that. Oh, and I really love you. 

Pops