You can't fix stupid

"What the hell is Hoveround, anyway?" James asked.

"Oh, it's like a little scooter and it turns 365 degrees," Mike told him.

This was after Mike's legs buckled under him as he was using his walker. James was determined to get something to get Mike around, even though the doors here are narrow.

"Product design was my major," James said. "I'll figure something out."

He and Janet took off, planning to go to Home Depot, Lowe's and Goodwill. They came back a couple hours later with a wheelchair that's just 27 inches wide. Apparently, he got a deal on it at Goodwill. It's the Mike-around, although Michael was too tired to use it today. He did get outside today for a little while, but it was a huge effort.

The Savannah trio came and visited this morning before heading back. It was so good to have them here, even though it was tiring for Michael -- it was good for him too.

Shannon and the kids were here for much of the day. Shannon got to spend some time with Michael while the kids played outside. But then Liam decided to play with dog poo and she had to go back to the hotel room for clean clothes for him. They came back a couple hours later after a bath and a nap, and Liam had such a tanrtum when Cassie wouldn't give him her bubble gun that he puked on himself. So much for clean clothes.

I did get to have some fun with the kids. They brought some much needed life and energy to my day.

James set up Michael's computer tonight and networked all three computers together. He's incredibly techy. He's having a really hard time with all of this. Both of them have been there for each other for so long. He said it's like losing a brother.

"He's the brother I never had," James told me. "I've had a lot of other roommates and they were all jerks. Mike isn't a jerk."

I told James he can be the third son I never had.

We talked about his being here when Michael dies. He wants to, but it scares him. I feel the same way.

Michael had trouble with allergies today. His chest is congested and I worry about pneumonia. I think he wants to see his father and his brother, but I don't know if he will last more than a week or so.

I think we've found a place for his memorial service. One of the people in his 12-step group in Savannah is a minister in the Unity Church. I'm going to call her Monday and ask if we can do the service there and if she will officiate. I think she'll let us play the heavy metal song he wants, and Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven."

I'm touched by the number of people who have called to tell me how Michael touched their lives. He is a remarkable man. I'm so proud he's my son.