Hello everyone,

 

Mom and Dad continue progressing and healing.  Dad has been getting back to his patients and practice faster than some of us were entirely comfortable with. He was able to shed his neck brace. A good friend had pointed out that dad was able to make the neck brace look fashionable somehow. It was yet another detail in this whole fiasco that was met with a cool elegance by each of them.  That same cool elegance was tested on Friday when mom was told that she was not granted full weight bearing status on her right leg. It was frustrating for her to be sentenced to another four weeks with her walker.  And out of a cool elegant defiance she refuses to let me make any crafty utilitarian modifications to her walker; no baskets, no horns, no lights, no flags.  Whatever mom. Needless to say she’s looking forward to pitching it off a cliff and getting back to work.  

 

All of you friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family out there continue to be a tremendous support and well of strength for our family.  The offers and deliveries of food, rides,  and miscellanea have been very generous and helped all of our spirits.  Not to mention a real help for my sister and I maintaining our employment and sanity.  And the GoFundMe donations continue to help in all the intended ways, relieving us of that much more stress. Thank you. Lauren vetoed my request for funds for a custom made “support” fur coat. Whatever Lauren.  We are however shutting it down. Please no more fiscal donations.  

 

Although not one hundred percent yet, Jp&D are doing remarkably well.  It is still stupefying that any of this happened; and that we find ourselves at this point. Time has stood still and flown by.  As the dust continues to settle it’s becoming more clear everyday that they need and want less and less help.  It’s on that note that Lauren and I are pleased to announce this final caring bridge entry by us. We gladly hand back to our folks full authorship of their story.  

 

There have been many silver linings throughout this ordeal. It’s caused countless heartfelt conversations that have produced dear new relationships and strengthened old ones.   It’s made clear that my folks, Lauren, and I are unbelievably fortunate  to have such an incredible network of kindness and love in our lives.  

 

The shiniest silver lining is of course Renie.  The absolute truth is that it’s because of her  (in tandem with some help from everyone at St.Lukes) my parents are in as good of shape as they are. Without her love, soulful and medical wisdom, this little unit of the Shaft family would be in much worse shape, in all aspects of our lives.  We look forward to seeing her again soon, and as often as she can stand. 

 

Thank you everyone.