Dad update

[aojesus]

Thanks for all the e-mails and calls regarding Dad's status. It would take forever to return them all so I will post a general reply here.
Dad is committed to fight until the very end. His entire left side is no longer working. His vision is almost completely gone as well as his hearing. His right side is failing rapidly and he struggles for every breath. He says he is not ready to let go yet and is trying to hang on to see Joey run in the Worlds.

Dad's tumor is still growing and is inoperable. The radiation and chemotherapy did not help. It just made him nearly deaf. Dad said it was worth a try so we supported him.

On Wednesday morning Dad will be loaded into an ambulance and taken to Syracuse NY. From Syracuse he will fly non stop to Orlando. From Orlando he will take a medical transport to our house in Brooksville. Dad wants to live with us. We welcome him and Mom with open arms. We are converting our extra living room into a bedroom for him and Mom.

I flew to NY last week for a 3 day visit and we had a blast! Uncle Floyd and Aunt Iris stopped by along with Lori Waterson-Neumann and Dad had a great time. Dan and Jeanette Clickner, and Ronny and Bobby Waterson also stop by regularly and visit. Dad can't say much but he sure enjoys having the people around.

Dad explained to Joey as best he could how to weld then Joey got out the welder I used when I was 12 and started welding. We also dug out my old J hydro. Dad gave Joey a complete 20H, a KPro motor, a speed twin, spare crank cases, France and Pinner props, support tools, a trailer and 3 hydros. Joey really appreciates the gifts but it was very hard for him to accept.

I attached a few pictures. Thanks again everyone for all of your concern, thoughts and prayers.

[aojesus]

oh,.....

Guess where Joey keeps the 20H?........

[aojesus]

Thanks

The continued e-mails and calls are amazing. Thank you!

Last night we picked Dad and Mom up at the airport in Orlando. When we got home we wheeled him in to his new room at our house and put him in bed. Within a few minutes he was snoring and had a peaceful look that I hadn't seen in years. Mom's bed is right beside Dad's and they both slept through the night for the first time in months.

For those of you that wanted an address to send a card you can send it to...
George Waterson
10198 Patrick St.
Brooksville, Fl
34601

Thanks again for the continued support as we go through this season in life.

[lojo1013]

Hi Russ
We are all very relieved your Mom and Dad arrived safe and sound.
Monday when I stopped in he made sure to tell me what size tee shirts to get from Crystal Lake. I know he always made sure to buy them for you every year. I will personally make sure his request is met!
We'll miss them at the race as they were among the faithful supporters, but it is comforting to know he is where he wants to be.
Our thoughts and prayers!
Lori

[aojesus]

Hi Russ
We are all very relieved your Mom and Dad arrived safe and sound.
Monday when I stopped in he made sure to tell me what size tee shirts to get from Crystal Lake. I know he always made sure to buy them for you every year. I will personally make sure his request is met!
We'll miss them at the race as they were among the faithful supporters, but it is comforting to know he is where he wants to be.
Our thoughts and prayers!
Lori

Mom and Dad love Crystal Lake. Many great memories there from camping as kids at Millie's to racing. Dad was trying to remember who ran the aluminum boat up onto the rocks at the far end. He laughed like crazy telling the story.
I wish you guys could have been here tonight. Dad had me get out the guitar.
I had to play Margaritaville, Old Hippie, I Walk The Line, Orange Blossom Special, then a bunch of bluegrass hymns. He fell asleep to I'll Fly Away.

We'll be in touch.

[Racing Fan]

Russ, just signed on--away for a few days. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad but he is so blessed to be able to live with you and your family. He will do fine. If there is anything and I do mean anything that you need please do not hesitate to call me. I can be at your house in minutes. You have my number. Take care! Shea

[Dave M]

Peacefull Wishes

Wishing you all the peace. Enjoy your time. Sounds like you guys are doing just that. Keep it up. Will say a prayer for you to all be at peace.

[STEVE FRENCH]

Russ,
Prop ya sent is smoke'n fast on my 25SSH........Sat at lock Haven I would of easily won both heats but in the first my steer hub and motor co-pilot were too loose so layed back for a 3rd.........Then tighten'd hub and co-pilot and was a half lap ahead at end of second heat!!.....Dave Young had a 1st and a 2nd so he won it over all....prop made a one way trip so let me know if you want to test a couple more A-wheels....
See you guys are 20H fans.......My KG/A-MOD has been a surprise runner....
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradleyr...47130284794226
Took a 5th a Whitney and won Sat at Lock Haven....but an inquirery at inspection, to engine size found the motor is 20 CI instead of a 15/(Mark-15)..small carb open'n with aj-47/kb-2 carb..no serial number cyl and looks like a Mark-15 cyl...(Bought it as a "A" from a Western Racer)..so the open Quincy stack was not legal.......It is legal with a chamber or on a Commode/conversion like the one in your pics......Beth was make'n Pina Coladas and the pineapple can fit the meg...perfect....a hose clamp and few holes to breath, and we were back out Sun/Monday with a 2nd-Sun and a 3rd Monday
Have sence found a conversion tower from Sam Hemp....will post a couple pics with the "commode" for yer Dad .....ASAP.........Hurricanes-RULE!!!

Being From Ny does yer Dad remember "Fast-Freddy" Bieger?...Spent many a afternoon shoot'n bull with him at his place in Dunkirk, Ny...I had a couple of his mint 100N hydros.....One Swift and a Marchetti.....

Hope Joey gets to test the wheel I sent soon....

19P

[aojesus]

Hey Steve,
Good to hear the prop worked out. You should try it on a 20H as well. I won that prop arm wrestling late one night in Canada. Dad remembers the Begiers. They supported a bunch of the Canadian races. Dad is a huge fan of the 20H and Crystal Lake. I believe this will be the first Crystal Lake race he and Mom have missed. The sound of the 20H's echoing off the rock walls at Crystal is an experience in itself.

All,
We greatly appreciate the kind words and support. I read the e-mails and PM's to Dad. He lights up when he hears it is a message from a member of the racing family. I will read him the posts on here as well.
He had a busy day today. The nurse showed up and ran over our steel garbage can. Dad thought that was really funny. He kept telling me he likes my garbage can. I strapped him in his wheel chair and we went on a 2 mile walk. We got within 20' of three sand hill cranes. Dad calls them souped up chickens.

Thanks again, your messages and calls make him smile.