Hello Friends,
Oooo, the TV just said we might have rain turning to snow through the night, and to tune in to the weather at 11 to find out what my morning commute might be like.
Really wasn’t expecting that. Getting a wheel chair in and out of our van and keeping Kate warm in the meantime presents new challenges. Got to rise to the occasion…here’s hoping the temperature does, too.
As we were warming ourselves in our apartment today, someone slipped a flyer under our door about carolers coming next Sunday to sing at Shepherd Center.
Even after five months, it’s still hard sometimes to be on the receiving end of all the ways people meet the needs of those of us who are going through a crisis.
It’s so funny that for years, either with my kids at church or with my kids at school, we’ve made things for hospitals and for nursing homes, and we’ve visited nursing homes to sing and bring hugs of good cheer, and although I knew it was appreciated, I didn’t really realize how much it probably meant to the patients and residents there.
Until now…
Last week, when I came home from taking Kate to Pathways, there was a “Happy Thanksgiving” elementary school made door hanger on the doorknob of our apartment. I wanted to cry…how silly that a construction paper knick knack (ok, it WAS cut out with bric-a-brac scissors to add that special touch), colored with Crayola crayons, could mean so much. And it’s still hanging there. I love the way it swings back and forth when we open the door.
And the carolers…my girls and I will definitely be in the gym next Sunday to enjoy the singing and the good time there. These little things really do mean a lot to those of us on the receiving end…so never think that what you do for others in need isn’t appreciated. It is, and we love you for it.
Kate did lots of exercising again today. We walked up and down the hall inside our apartment and wheel chaired around, too, encouraging her left foot to do more of the propelling.
Homer truly got a workout, also…first a manicure (how manly) then a massage, and last, some picking up of objects and putting them into a container. He’s asleep now…totally pooped out.
It’s hard to believe tomorrow is the first day of December, and that I should be Christmas shopping and all sorts of things like that. There are so many holiday opportunities for my girls here in Atlanta, so I just need to make sure I make an effort, despite the uncertainty of our situation, to take advantage of what’s here to make their Christmas special. Fa la la la la, ya’ll.
In closing, thanks for all your wonderful Thanksgiving notes and for continuing to love and care for us. Your words of encouragement are really helping give hope to sweet Kate…and this Wednesday, she’s getting together with a traumatic brain injury survivor who’s offered to talk to her and answer some of her questions and concerns. I’m hoping he’ll give her some comfort.
Heading to bed under a warm blanket…
Love, Janne
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