I talked to Aaron and Kelly tonight, and it seems they have been busy. The biggest news is that they are in the process of getting their paperwork in order for Aaron's discharge from Walter Reed. You would think that would be fairly easy, but it's actually a several-weeks-long process of paperwork and final meetings with doctors. If all goes well, they should be back home in Mississippi before Thanksgiving. Aaron and Kelly got married on November 18 of last year, so it would be really great if they could be home in time for their first anniversary, but we'll see. Please keep praying that Aaron's final checkups will go well and that all the paperwork will be in order as soon as possible. I think they just want to go home now, and the rest of the family would like that too.
If recent events are any indication, Aaron is in fantastic physical shape and could clearly kick my butt or anyone else'e for that matter. A couple of weeks ago, Aaron and Kelly both participated in the Army's Ten-Mile Run, which turned into an 11.5 mile run because of a last minute re-routing. There are usually a large group of amputees who run, and of that group, Aaron has had his prosthetic the least amount of time ... just over two months in terms of how long he's been able to wear it consistently. But he ran the whole thing straight through in two hours and actually finished first of all the leg amputees, which was pretty cool. Kelly also put in a great showing, finishing about 20 minutes behind Aaron, and proving once again that she is a better woman than I am, because I'm not sure I would or could run 11.5 miles for anyone, ever. Aaron was interviewed at length by a reporter from Sports Illustrated who was covering the event, and if he surfaces in the article, we'll let you know. I am starting to wonder if Aaron wears some kind of special shirt at these events that says "I (Heart) Reporters," because reporters just seem to be drawn to him by some magnetic forcefield. Being a reporter myself, I would probably bet that it has something to do with the fact that Aaron is really articulate and finishes his sentences, but I'm also not abandoning the special T-shirt theory.
That's about it for tonight. I hope that the next thing I have to tell you is that Aaron and Kelly are on their way home. That will truly be a good day. Thank you all for your love and prayers for Aaron and Kelly and all of us. We love you.