“We were out in the yard, just finished planting our tomatoes, and Paul was swinging one of those grass-cutting blades, knocking the heads of some of the dandelions, when suddenly he was on the ground,” Cheryl Scott said. “He told me to call 911, as he could not move, and he was taken to Concord Hospital.” A couple of days later he was transferred to Boston Medical Center and diagnosed with a fractured neck and bruised spinal cord.

This all started on the afternoon of Sunday, May 10, and he has regained some movement in his arms and has feeling in his legs. An operation scheduled for Thursday, May 21, will be performed to prevent further damage and support the spine. A lengthy rehab period will follow, but “I am ready to do it and we are aiming to be back in business for the New Hampshire Dealer Show,” Paul told us on Monday. We join hundreds of other well-wishers hoping that will happen.

Support, good wishes and prayers have poured in from all over the country, and beyond, and Paul has enjoyed them all. “I read him all the phone messages and emails every day and the support has been wonderful,” Cheryl said. At present, he is allowed no visitors, but notes can be sent to him at Boston Medical Center, Newton Pavilion, SICU Room #4, 88 East Newton Street, Boston MA 02118 or email cherylscott@tds.net .

The following is an email received from Paul this past Monday:

Hi Scudder,

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement that you and Helen have sent our way.

Would you kindly please inform the hundreds of folks who have called and emailed that their thoughts, prayers, jokes and advice are an important source of strength to us. It is astonishing to know how many people have gone down a similar path and are sharing their thoughts and personal experience with us.

What a resource the Antiques world is.

Unless you have been in a situation like this, you can not understand the amazing positive impact that small deeds and kindnesses can have. We have been overwhelmed in so many ways and by so many people. We are buoyed every day by good wishes and prayers. This industry is filled with very special people. We may all compete with each other, but when the chips are down, the community comes together to help in any way they can. It truly is amazing. Thanks to everyone for everything.

Everybody do what they do best, find the next great object and know that one pair of eyes is missing, but only temporarily!!

Best,

Paul

P.S. Don’t put this on the obit page!!!

(That’s the reason this is on page 66, not page 67 †OK, Paul?)