Update from Megan:
Thank you for your prayers over our transition home. Michael has loved being back.
The flight was a breeze (Thank you Delta, we are fans for life.) and we got to have a fun time with his brother David.
Home is healing and Michael has been slipping back into some normal rhythms. His social interactions are great and he can't get enough of being with his friends and family. Thank you so very much for helping meet some immediate needs with the amazon list. From the medical equipment to the family games to the journals he is writing in, we are utilizing it all. Also the meals have been incredibly helpful. There are many nights where I have no idea how I would have gotten dinner together for our family if it weren't for you. Thank you so much.
We have three sessions of Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy each week. They are 40mins each and work on Michael's memory, cognition and problem solving skills. I still think we could benefit from a few more guided therapy sessions per week so I may need to ask around.
Michael's memory is still a big issue. His ability to hold attention to a task is still limited and doesn't allow enough time for encoding and storing information. He isn't experiencing emotions very deeply - which makes the relational side of healing a bit challenging. His ability to inhibit reactions, thoughts, behavior is also a challenge and can get a little socially awkward.
I have taken him on a couple errands with me. He generally does so well but he has articulated that it makes his "brain tired" but not his physical body. Today we were crossing the road and a car slowed down to let us pass. Michael, in his hyper social state, went to give the driver an enthusiastic thumbs up but somehow instead gave him the middle finger. Michael proceeded to laugh and be shocked at his own actions while I stood there mortified realizing yet again what our current reality is proving to be.
Michael is writing down everything that excites him in a journal. It's a lovely stream of consciousness and absolutely confuses him when he looks back at it later. It hits just as exciting again and we start all over with the questions and delight. Needless to say I am still asking the Lord to give me unending patience and kindness.
Your prayers continue to carry me. I feel them (and need them!) daily.
Pray specifically over our kids. They have each been expressing their thoughts and emotions to me. It's hard, heavy and, quite frankly, sad. We'll definitely need some counseling in the near future. Pray that this experience shapes them for the better rather than causes lasting trauma.
I need prayer too. For so many things. Home is absolutely wonderful and was the right next step decision for Michael, but as you can imagine the weight of all this is heavy. I am adjusting but still grieving "what was" while still believing that the Lord can and will restore to us the years that the locust have eaten (Joel 2:25).
There is so much to say and I am happy to share more in person as I see each of you. Our story is kind of an open book for all who love us and are alongside us in this time. Please know you are not bothering me when you reach out. I need the reminders that you all are here. Sometimes just simply sharing our thoughts and feelings with each other is healing.
Psalm 102:16-22
[16] For the LORD builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory;
[17] he regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer.
[18] Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
[19] that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
[20] to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
[21] that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
[22] when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
