It took two hours but we made it to Princeton.  Megan did great on the ambulance ride (a tad disappointed that they didn't use lights and sirens).  She napped some and listened to music on her ipod.  Once at the house, we wheeled Megan in on the fancy stretcher and then 5 of us (including the two great EMTs who accompanied Megan) carefully carried her up the stairs and (way...) down the hall into her bedroom which was decorated by Renae and Heidi with crepe paper, ballons, welcome home banners (and 1/2 naked pics of Ryan Gossling on her ceiling...thanks, Carrolee!). 

Meg is feeling strong and in such great spirits.  After some time getting her settled, Megan then wanted to tend to the huge amount of letters, cards, banners, presents etc that waited for her at home.  She was touched by each one.  Only Megan could spend 5 weeks in the intensive care unit and have to send out a few dozen thank you notes afterwards! 

Seriously, thanks to everyone for all the thoughts, prayers, notes, guestbook entries, and most especially for sharing your hearts with Megan.  It gave her, and each of us, enormous strength through what was such a difficult period.  Once again, Megan has shown us all what true courage is.  Grace under pressure.  And then some...

I just took Megan's metal HALO device (odd souvenir, I know...) and put it on a shelf in my study.   Very real reminder of what's important and that just when you think things are bad and life's not fair, well this HALO will remind me that it could always be worse...and what an example of strength and courage Megan is to so many.

One of the nice gifts that Megan received when she came home was this Angel (a gift from her nurse, Maryann).  It is named "The Angel of Courage."  How appropriate.  And it spins and quietly plays Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."   And how fitting are the words to that song  in thinking over the intensity of the past five weeks and the still long and challenging road to recovery for Megan!  We will maybe once a week provide updates on Megan's progress here going forward.  The worst is definitely past.  Thanks to all-- especially Aileen for being such an amazing and selfless Mom;  to Sharon for being such a loving caregiver; Renae for being nurse extraordinaire and Megan's BFF; Nancy for being nurse in training extraordinaire and Megan's BFF, too (and Junior's!).

ODE TO JOY, Indeed...(oh, and St. Gemma, I owe you what I promised...).

Joyful, joyful
We adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day

Mortals join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began
Father love is reigning o'er us
Brother love binds man to man
Ever singing march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful music lifts us Son ward
In the triumph song of life

AMEN!