Season's Greetings to each of you - a great community comprised of Friends of Rodd! It's been a long time since we communicated in a group setting. It seems my last Caring Bridge post was in May. With the Holiday season in full swing, I felt like it was a great time to say "hello" and “thank you” to all the loyal and supportive people that have helped support Rodd (and all of us) over the past 475 days! Wow, 475 days! (Don't worry, I Googled that...not enough coffee to do that type of math)! 😁 

Last Christmas, Cara gave me a beautiful silver necklace as a gift. It is a delicate chain with two silver rectangles hanging from it. One of the rectangles is a bit bigger and broader, and the other is smaller and thinner. I wear it every day. It is one of my most cherished items now…“through thick and thin." Its symbolism captures everything for me. Everyday.

Our family journey since Rodd’s stroke has been like a pebble tossed in the water. We can all see where the pebble splashed in (September 1, 2021). You know the details by now - it was the kids’ first day of school. Cara was at work. I was at work. Jay was working from home (because he messed up his cholesterol test that morning by eating breakfast)! It was the day Rodd was scheduled to get the pins taken out of his right foot from his foot surgery in July. 

And then - Splash!

We didn’t know what had happened, but we knew something had gone beneath the surface.

From that point forward, the ripples started and grew outwards. Each ripple represents a different stage. In the beginning, it was minute-by-minute. Then day by day. Then week by week and so on. The ripples keep going today. New stages, new phases, and new adventures as Rodd shows us what endurance and determination look like. As we navigate, adapt, and thrive as a family.    

Thank you for the support in the minutes, days, weeks, and months. And now we can say years as well. 475 days later, the landscape has changed, but we can see the beauty around us once again. There is so much love and support surrounding us, and our family thanks you!

Season’s Greetings and here’s to a happy and healthy 2023 ahead!

With love and gratitude,

The Collins Clan (Rodd, Cara, Zoe, Jay, Lindsey, Alden, Abby, and all the crazy Collins dogs too – Ben, Annie, Georgia, and Maggie)

Pictures: RoddFest 2022 in Bethel, Rodd’s driver’s license reinstatement, 1-year anniversary family shot (missing Alden), Rodd and Cara celebrating their 28th Anniversary. GRATEFUL