date: Tues, Nov 18, 2008
subject: Mahalo Wonderful Friends!!!
Wow!
How can I thank you ALL for your wonderful words of support? How fortunate we all are to have each other in our lives.
Bevin’s note painted a picture, which I will continue to carry around with me, “Thanks for the update Susan! It’s like we’re right there with you holding your hand. Your report had it all. Thank you for letting us in on your dad’s health.”
I feel you all around me (holding my hand, giving warm hugs and great big smiles). And whenever the next difficult moment comes, I’ll look up and then turn around and “see” you all there with me. Mahalo.
Today Dad awoke in the most despondent mood I’ve seen since this all began on September 28th. We spoke on the phone and my sister Hannah called him too to encourage him. Later I walked into the therapy room to see him sitting in a wheelchair wearing his bright orange fleece top and Tabasco/red chilies pants batting a balloon over a net to other spinal chord injured patients. He was making jokes and making them all laugh; he was encouraging the lady directly across from him (there were 3 people on either side of the net) who was having an especially difficult time. He rejoiced with her when she was able to hit it several times in a row and then knock it over the net.
Later as he wheeled himself back to his room, he said, “You know, I’ve had a complete turn around since this morning . . . Can you show me where they keep the ice cream?” He then wheeled himself up to the fridge in the dining room, which is at the far end of the long hallway directly down from his room. We sat together and looked out over Knoxville and the bright orange fall leaves and ate our chocolate ice cream. It was a beautiful moment. Heck, it doesn’t get much better than that–sitting with my content father AND sharing chocolate ice cream.
Love to you all,
Susan
p.s. oh, and last week my cousin from NYC flew to Charlotte and drove in with his sister, their mom, his sister’s 2 year old and a 4.5 month old . . . and my other sister with her husband and 2 kids were here . . . the doctor had said NOW’s the time to visit while he feels well enough . . . and anything could happen any minute. It was so great having them all here. And Mom and Dad’s house somehow held us all. And Dad saw a real reason to be positive, etc. He’s become the patriarch of the family and surrogate grand pops to MANY! and so it goes . . .