Please keep praying for my 76 yo stepfather, Richard.  As I blogged last night, he had emergency surgery for a burst aortic aneurysm yesterday in So. Cal.  Surgery was successful but they've given him a 50/50 chance of survival.  My mom called this a.m. and said he tried to move during the night which is a good sign.  She said if she didn't have her faith, she doesn't know what she'd do.  She really sounded a lot stronger than I thought she would.  I'm a wreck.  I know the Lord is in control and I trust His will but I am so sad.  I told the kids this a.m. and asked them to pray.  They bounce, you know.  They were sad but then they go back to whatever they were doing.  Every now and then they ask ?'s and we talk.  Life happens and these are good learning opportunities.  I don't always like learning opportunities ... sometimes I hate them, you know?  Had a long talk with a good friend this a.m. and she said if it's Richard's time, it's his time, nothing we can do about it.  Why am I always surrounded by people who tell it like it is?  I am trusting the Lord, praying constantly for Richard, my mom and Richard's family, as well as mine.  And me.  My husband, Todd, said last night that God has a plan in all this.  Without going into further detail, this may help mend some issues between family members.  Anyway, thank you for your prayers.