A letter from Jim’s granddaughter:

Hello everyone,

I first want to extend a warm and sincere thank you for reading, for your thoughts, prayers and continued support for my family.  We feel it everyday and I know it’s exactly what my family needs to keep the positivity up and moving forward.

An update for everyone – I stopped by the hospital after work, where I very quickly was told about grandpa's nurse Bob, who has been taking care of grandpa these past two days. Bob seems to be an amazingly intelligent and supportive nurse, and we're sad to say goodbye as Bob is finished working for the week. However, it’s good news for us! Grandpa is expected to move into an orthopedic ward within in the next couple of days – and from there he will move on to rehab.

Grandpa was in good spirits when I stopped by, greeting me with the familiar “hey, hey, hey sugah.” He promptly informed Bob that today was the day he would be having some Ice Cream, which Bob ordered up for him. He was cracking jokes with us – and trying to make the best of the situation. He is remaining ever positive and hopeful for the future – a shining example for all of us.

Although it hasn’t always been easy, I’m so incredibly proud of the strength that my grandfather has shown and, even in his struggles, given us.  We are all pulling together and moving forward with life, as papa has taken to saying recently.

Thank you all again for all of the support, extra notes, hugs and prayers. We’ll take ‘em all.  XO

-Tori