Pray for Papa

Please pray for my Papa Howard. He had surgery last Friday and was unresponsive on Sunday. They have moved him to the ICU at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga. He is now responsive but can't talk because he has been on a ventilator. They did a tracheotomy today and he can mouth words to you but is very weak and tired and has a long recovery ahead of him. Please pray for his healing and for God to lift his spirits and give him strength. He is aware of what is going on around him and very frustrated with the slow recovery. We were able to see him today at the hospital. I love my papa so very much and he has always been so strong - really a rock in our family so it was heartbreaking to see him so weak. I told him that Madison was at his house and that we had been praying for him. He mouthed "she is a pretty girl" and had tears streaming down his face. I told him about our trip to the pool with her and how she liked the water when it was warm but not when it was cold. I also told him that I loved him and he mouthed back "I love you too". I told him to keep resting so that he could get better and he mouthed "all I do is rest". I think he is frustrated that he can't do anything right now because is is so sound mentally. Please pray first for his recovery and then for patience for him during the recovery as I know it is difficult for him. Please pray for my grandmother - for strength as she supports him during this time. Pray also for my dad and his brother and sister and really for all of us in his family.

Update as of 5/31: My mom and dad took a picture of my Papa holding Madison to the hospital and the nurses let them hang it up on the pole by his bed where he can see it while lying down. They said it made him smile :)