Dear family and friends
Today was a busy day.
Grayson had a PICC line replaced and several other ancillary procedures. A MUGA scan (a heart scan) was also attempted, but by the time he got to radiology, he was too restless. He slept a fair amount today, due to procedure sedation. His toe injury from yesterday seemed to be healing quickly.
During his physical therapy today, Grayson was able to focus his eyes and track for a bit. He was also able to blink on command and, once he was taught where his mouth was, open and close it on command. These are encouraging signs and, as a result, he will begin a bit of additional therapy to see if we can exploit some of these small victories.
Regina and I visited two more LTAC facilities today. At this point, there is one that appears to meet Grayson's needs better than the others, so the path here seems to have been made clear.
Sunday is our Christmas Concert at church and we are opening the concert with the hymn, "Once in Royal David's City". Since 1919, the Christmas Eve program at King's College Chapel in Cambridge opens with that hymn as the processional. The first verse is sung by a boy soprano a capella. When Grayson was in 5th grade, he was chosen to sing that verse to open the Christmas program at his school. Here is a clip of that performance from 1996: http://reedhaus.com/video/once_in_royal.wmv
Sort of like his life, this performance had a shaky start, and the ending was just the start of another verse.
Pax!
Brant and Regina
Thanks for that great reminder from the past. That was also the year he starred as Jonah in the children's choir musical. I will never forget how he lit up the show. He's in my prayer in this season of light.
ReplyDeleteMother Theresa has been quoted as saying, "God has never asked me to do something I couldn't do." Then pausing... then continuing, "Sometimes, though, I wish He didn't trust me quite so much."
ReplyDeleteGrayson's last public performance (just a little earlier this fall) was with the Flintridge Singers, performing a beautiful piece from the musical Wicked, whose text says, "Because I knew you... I have been changed for good." Nothing truer could be said of those of us lucky enough to know him.
The true message of Christmas is that the greatest light is born in Winter's deepest darkness.He, and you, and all of us who know him, WILL make it through this. (Even though, like Mother Theresa, I do wish God didn't trust us quite so much.)
The whole Reed family is in our thoughts and prayers this holy-day season. Thanks for keeping us informed with the blog -- your strength is truly inspirational. They say we choose our parents and, if so, Grayson definitely chose well . . . Also, thanks for the video!It made me cry because I remember him so well at this age -- what a treasure.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Love, Peace and Blessings,
Doreen and Michael
What a wonderful video to watch, thank you for posting it Brant. Thank you also for keeping is informed on his condition. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWe know that hymn well, but not as well as that voice! Your posting blessed us with sweet memories that bring hope.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel capable of adding anything to what Grayson shared in that video...Grayson is a blessing to all of us...through all of the years.
ReplyDeleteIn Him,
Doug
This video clip really took me back in time to when all of our kids were younger and singing in the choir. What a blessing that you made that clip, and that we are able to enjoy it now.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you as Grayson continues his fight to recover.
Love, Linda