When Ed got sick, his family gathered quickly and closely around him. Farm families are different from most families, they tend to be almost tribally close, especially when there is trouble. Ed is the patriarch, and I suspect he was not an easy father, but he is much loved and respected by his three children and their families.

His family hovers around him like a cloud of angels these days, he is in good hands. Such a thing is not imaginable to me, my family always runs for the hills when there is trouble, and I can hardly conceive of the kind of support Ed is getting. I wish it for everyone.

This morning, I found Maggie working hard to get a giant life bed in place for Ed and Carol. When she had to leave to go pick up the kids, both of them were crying and Maggie gave Ed a huge hug and kiss on the nose. It was a beautiful thing to see.