Christmas Celebration #5

Our last Christmas celebration was with my brother Greg. He spent a few days with Rusty, Meredith, Ally and Colby and Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day. Gerald and Rusty always meet half way to exchange Greg. He went with us to Sheila's. Then after we got home Christmas Day we gave him presents from us, the girls and what Santa brought him to our house. He gave us the presents he bought and paid for with his own money. I got slipper socks and pot holders and Gerald got candy. He also bought for Rusty's family and my girls' families. Greg has Special Needs...oh how I love that instead of what "people" used to say. Truth be told he is extremely smart in so many ways...he has a much better memory than I do and things that he does that some people find "odd" well .......I do them too and so do a lot of other people I know.

Greg Clawson's 50th Birthday Party

Greg looking at the pig with Meredith

Maxine, Meredith, Harold and friends

Greg opening presents

Greg singing with the band..Ally with her Grandpa (Meredith's dad)
Table decorations

Greg and his room mates

Uncle Greg with Colby, Bryson and Ally

Granny Beasly and Eunice

Phil, John and Diane Clawson and Karon Swayze

Meredith and Kristy (Meredith's brothers wife) both so good to Greg. Meredith's parents with Greg. They are so wonderful!!

It is hard for me to believe that Greg turned 50!! Some time last year Meredith suggested we have a big party for him. We rented a building, Rusty had a friend of his cook a pig for us, we bought slaw, potato salad, chips, rolls, candy, chips and more. Meredith ordered a cake and tons of balloons. Rusty and Meredith went crazy at Party City buying decorations. I had picked up sand buckets ( he loves the beach and Beach Boys), coke bowls and decorations, Meredith got some more from a friend. Rusty hauled in tons of ice (probably too much thanks to me). Emily and I went down to Clayton and together with Meredith ran errands and decorated the building with the help of Meredith's mom, brother, Sean and Gerald. Bryson, Colby and Ally helped some. Greg had such a wonderful time. The band was awesome. Thanks to Meredith's dad for arranging that. Greg said the blessing and we all had a delicious BBQ (southern style). Greg sang with the band "Today is Your Birthday" by the Beatles. Meredith made a slide show of Greg...some of the pictures were really old ones that we scanned and gave her. So with old pictures from when he was just a little boy along with newer pictures the slide show was a great success. We had the cake and Greg opened his gifts. There was dancing, talking and laughing and so many great memories were made. We had about 75 people, maybe more turn out.... Beasley's, Meredith's family, Friends from both sides, Clawson's and Gerald's family...I am sure I have left something or someone out ...please forgive me and if you are reading this...please feel free to correct me or add to this.

Greg's Surgery

Greg is home and doing wonderful!! Yesterday he had his gall bladder removed. The doctor said it took so long because he had so many stones and they were so large that he had to remove them one by one before he could even remove the gall bladder. Greg is truely remarkable!! He never once complained about any thing. His only request was -will his room have a tv in it.

Greg is Home

Greg went to UNC for his ERCP on Wednesday. It was a sucess in that the doctor was able to remove and crush the two stones that were in his bile duct. He had a hard time waking up and was in severe pain. The scary part was when his blood presure dropped. After watching him for several hours they decided to admit him to the hospital. He had a mild case of pancreatitis. This morning he was feeling much better-----ate a good breakfast and lunch. Had a Diet Coke... We were finally able to leave the hospital around 4pm. I am so thankful that Rusty and Meredith were with us yesterday and today. Greg is back at his home and so glad to be there. He will still have to have his gallbladder remove sometime soon. Not sure when.