Wednesday (Day 94)

"I didn't have a choice"

These were the words my father spoke, as tears ran down his face when I read my last blog entry to him.

This last weekend was especially emotional for him. We had several family members come up for our little deck project. 24 hours saw a grassy backyard turn into a creative ramp in preparation for my father's return home. So, unable to help out with home improvements, knowing everyone is helping out for him, not being able to join in the fun, and hearing old memories over dinner....all of which led to a very sad poppa. Sooo, Monday night he asked me to read him some posts from here, and wanted to leave another post in his words. He started from the beginning, back at the Hospital. "I've got good news and bad news", he said....and as he continued to spell out his words, I realized where he was going. I stopped him soon after, and told him everyone already knows what happened, and that they need an update.

He then went into "thank you all for your support...." then stopped and asked me to read. I got two sentences in, when he lost it. I told him he has much to be proud of, and his courage is astounding. He told me "I had no choice". To which I replied,
"Of course you had a choice....everyone has choices!" "You could have done nothing."

He had an interesting visitor earlier this week....which couldn't have been better timed, given this funk he was in over the weekend. I took him on our regular stroll through the parking lot to the end of the street so he can get a glimpse of the sunset and Puget Sound. On the way there, I noticed three young ladies walking down the hill past the driveway we were on. Keep in mind, this is NOT the best neighborhood he is in, and 90% of the ladies walking the streets around here are "working". I steered clear of them, and parked his wheelchair on the upward half of the driveway, giving him the best view...when I hear "Sir??" I turned around to see one of these ladies walking back up the hill towards us. I turned to my Dad thinking "Great!! Here we go!"...thinking she is going to ask for money. Of course, my next thought was how disrespectful people can be. CLEARLY this is a special moment between a father and his son. For the record, I hate that these were my initial thoughts.

After walking all the way back up the hill to us, she introduced herself, then walked very tenderly towards my Dad and reached for his hand. She worked across the street at the church, and asked if I would be willing to bring him in on a Sunday for some healing. She held his hand and proceeded with an amazing prayer, at one point screaming to the heavens with tears in her eyes. I looked at my Dad, and he was alllllllll ears. He said "thank you" about a million times to her. She insisted that he stay strong, and NOT lose faith....that he WILL walk again. I was just waiting for my Dad to break down in tears again, but he didn't. It was a very surreal moment, I must say. I thanked her for her time, and her thoughtfulness. It was getting cold, so we said goodbye, and I proceeded to get him indoors. I asked him what he thought about that, and he said "Pretty cool".

Pretty cool indeed. He has had a new found strength this week, I have noticed....and is admittantly trying to rush the healing. Brad said he had a great workout with the Parallel bars, and the speech therapist gave my Mom some exercises to work with him in efforts to work on the swallowing. Everyone has been working so hard in their own ways. My father will be proud to read of all of your efforts! Thank you everyone. I will post some more pics right away! :)