Willie is up in the Cities tonight. Yesterday he received a call that a firefighter from Alaska had passed away on a fire up on the Superior. His day and night were spent communicating and coordinating with so many people and early this morning he headed up to meet the crew and their departed crew member. His day today has been non-stop. He left here at 7:30 and didn’t pause to eat a meal until 6. I think in some ways he is in his element – talking to people, coordinating, planning – but I also think it is emotionally taxing and stressful. It doesn’t help that his back is bothering him still. I did check the firmness of the bed this afternoon however and it was at the very softest it could have been. I’m sure that has not helped and over the last month has gradually affected his body. We don’t know exactly how long he will be away, but it could be through the weekend. He won’t leave until the firefighter’s body is flown home.

This is the first time Willie has been away from us overnight since early on in his transplant. Definitely an odd feeling.

As a result of the chaos of the hurried unpacking yesterday searching for Willie’s work credit card, the house is a disaster! I did get a few more things put away today but there remains a fair amount to deal with. One good reason for him to be gone as if he were home it would be driving him batty. No comfortable place to hang out or sit down. C and I will keep plugging away at it as time allows.

Attaching a photo so you can understand what I mean when I say chaos. This is from yesterday and has improved…but it still feels overwhelming. I want to get rid of more stuff.