Day 776 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was our first full day in Mammoth. I skied for a few hours this morning while Regina got Grayson up and ready for his day. This afternoon Grayson took his first lesson of the new season at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. He was excited to go skiing again!

Grayson did well at his lesson today. His balance was good and he was almost immediately taken up the lift. He was successful following directions and skiing around "obstacles" (such as beginner skiers). His instructors had him playing a game to try and get him to complete his turns and it worked well with him. It was a successful day!

Austin and Xixi arrived on the Horizon Air flight just after Grayson's lesson ended. We unpacked and decided that tonight was an "eat out" night! We had a wonderful dinner the off to the market to lay in supplies for the week. As always, Grayson was my cart pusher!

We came back to the condo and settled in for the evening. Most of us were very tired from all of the various activities we have been involved in. An early night sounds like a good idea even if it is New Year's Eve!

Pax!

Brant

Day 775 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We left town at 3:30 today and arrived in Mammoth at 8:30 PM. We ran some errands, had a delightful dinner, did some grocery shopping, unloaded the van into the condo we have rented for the week, did some unpacking and – wow it was midnight! The day was uneventful (a good thing on a travel day!) and we are all safely snuggled in our beds – at least everyone but me.

Grayson was very alert all day. Regina and I think that there may be another one of those little growth spurts going on, but we are not sure yet. We will continue to watch and wait and see.

Unlike last year when Mammoth had record snow, this year there has been almost none. The ground in town is bare but they have made a lot of snow on the mountain. I'll have a better feel in the morning when I give it a whirl!

Tomorrow Austin and Xixi arrive and then we'll have a full house for New Years Eve.

Pax!

Brant

Day 774 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We are madly packing for Mammoth VII – the 7^th annual Reed family ski vacation to Mammoth Mountain. Tomorrow is a travel day. More news soon!

Pax!

Brant

Day 773 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was back on a normal schedule today. Anishka took care of him while I madly tried to catch up on a myriad of personal business items. 2011 is almost over!

Grayson was a bit off his game again today. He was a bit slow all day and he repeated some words over and over. This was a bit disconcerting to us. He was better after he had been up a while so we pushed it to the back of our minds, but we'll keep an eye on this.

Pax!

Brant

Day 772 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

This morning I had to jolt Grayson out of a deep sleep to get him to a doctors appointment. In high school that meant that we were in the car in 20 minutes or less. Now it is more like 1½ to 2 hours to get Grayson out the door – and it requires continuous energy on my part (or the part of the person getting him ready) to make it happen. We were in and out in 30 minutes, then met up with Regina for lunch and picked up one of our cars that was in for service. For Grayson this morning must have felt like a blur – sleep, breakfast, shower, clothes, car, doctor, car, Mom, lunch, car – it makes me tired when I think about it given his limited capacity. Fortunately Grayson is always a good egg and will go along with anything!

This evening we met up with Regina again at the Apple store to set up her new iPhone (my Christmas present to her.) After the set-up (not as painless as one would have expected given the Apple hype, but we did manage to get through it) we had sushi for dinner at a restaurant next door. We returned home to watch the end of the Kennedy Center Honors, then off to bed with Grayson.

Grayson was a bit off of his game all day. Perhaps it was the rapid decompression between sleep and having a dermatologist poking at him, but he was a bit off all day. Tomorrow Anishka will be back and "normalcy" will resume – for two days anyway!

Pax!

Brant

Day 771 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was Boxing Day! We celebrated by sleeping in late, reliving a little bit of Christmas, enjoying coffee, watching some Christmas movies, and generally keeping a low profile all day.

Grayson and I took a walk today. For the most part Grayson was pretty alert. Because of sleeping in, he was only up about 12 hours today. Frankly I wish that I had only been up 12 hours today!

Pax!

Brant

Day 770 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

God bless us, every one.

Regina

Day 769 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It's Christmas Eve!

Today was filled with the joy of preparation for tomorrow's big celebration. The house looks beautiful, the gifts are all wrapped, the table is set and all is in order for the big day. I'm writing the blog a bit earlier than usual as we are heading to church at 10:00 PM for the late Vigil service. Regina is serving as the assisting minister hence the early arrival time for the 11:00 PM service. We should be home around 1:00 AM to prepare the stockings for tomorrow. With no little kids at home any longer we should be able to sleep in a bit!

Grayson was a champ today. He traveled with me this afternoon as we ran errands. When we returned home Regina asked him if he delivered any presents and he said that he had. "Who did you deliver presents to?" she asked him. "Howie and Julie" was the reply. How cool is that – that is short-term memory. He can't always do it but he did today! At one other point he saw something from Mammoth Mountain and he told Regina, "I'm going to Mammoth!" Yes he is – very soon! All of this tells me that Grayson is having a good day and there continues to be slow improvement.

From the entire Reed family, we wish you the most beautiful of Christmas Days tomorrow and may the blessing of Christ's birth continue to burn brightly in your heart for the coming year.

Pax!

Brant

Day 768 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was the first day of our Christmas Holiday! It was a full day and a fun day!

Grayson and I did the grocery shopping for Christmas dinner (and a few other meals along the way!) The store was as crowded as I have ever seen it. Grayson was, as always, my cart pusher – following me around the store as I filled the basket. With all of the extra people and obstacles today was a challenge but he was up to it! He was able to steer around obstructions as gracefully as he is able to ski around them on the slopes. He just knew that he had to follow me and he did. If someone got in his way, he patiently waited until the path was clear and moved on. I was very proud of him.

Today we finished decorating the Christmas tree. Every ornament that we hang has a story. As we get older the tree needs to get larger to accommodate all of these legends! This year due to the travel shortened season, we got a 6 foot tree, roughly 2 feet smaller than usual, so several of our ornaments never made it onto the tree. Nonetheless it is a beautiful cornerstone to our festivities and it smells great!

Grayson was also full of song today and it was great to hear him sing on pitch some old favorite Christmas carols with us as we decorated the tree.

During our tree trimming, Lauren called. We had a long and emotional chat. Our gift of a shortbread pan arrived tonight and she was overcome with the emotion of Christmases at home and memories of baking. It was wonderful to hear from her and at the end of the call she had a chat with Grayson.

For the closeness of family, no matter where they may be, we are so blessed.

Pax!

Brant

Day 767 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I made it! After a 10 hour day, the 2011 work year for my team is now over. While there are some areas working the holiday week in order to make year-end delivery commitments, my team is done for the year. I finished the last of my year-end tasks at 5:15 this afternoon and am now ready for a long winter's nap! Oh wait – is it time to start Christmas shopping yet? Fortunately this year most of my shopping was done online!

Grayson was a bit off of his game today. Those darned cycles! I bet that Christmas will get him going again!

Pax!

Brant

Day 766 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

One more day until the holiday break! (For me anyway.) I'm working like mad to wrap up all of the year end details and after another 12 hour day I think that the end is in sight!

I took a break this evening to join Regina and Grayson for dinner. After dinner I decided to run by the store to buy the beast to roast for Christmas dinner (in our case a standing rib roast), and I took Grayson with me. When we pulled into the parking lot of the grocery, I asked him where we were. He answered, "The market." I asked him why we came here and he answered, "To buy a fat pig!" That made my day!

Blessings to all of you as you prepare your "fat pig" for Christmas!

Pax!

Brant

Day 765 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a wildly crazy day at work for both Regina and I – year end rapidly approaching and few days left to get the work done! For me only two days remain in the work year – Regina has an additional 4.

Thanks goodness for Anishka! She now has Grayson on her own all day. Tonight it was a dinner, a little TV and off to bed sort of night.

Grayson was, as always, in good spirits. We giggled and played during our interactions this evening. Just like a parent of a young child, I feel guilty when work takes me away from him. Fortunately we now have good daytime care!

Blessings on the remainder of this Advent season!

Pax!

Brant

Day 764 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was the start of the last work week of the year for me (unfortunately not for Regina.) As of tonight I only have three remaining work days to get all of my work done for 2012 – now that is a scary thought!

Advent at the Reed Haus, after a delayed start due to our visit to see Regina's dad, is now in full swing. More decorations are up every day, packages are being wrapped, the Christmas menu and schedule for the day has been worked out, and the shopping is miraculously complete (thanks primarily to online shopping and a spouse that always has it under control!) I still need to go to the store to get a beast to roast, but I can't remember a time when things seemed so calm. Perhaps we are older and wiser, perhaps we are better planners, or perhaps we just lowered our expectations! The fact is I am so excited for Christmas, to hear the first carols at church, and to hear again of the miracle of our Savior's birth.

Grayson was a bit of a conundrum today. He was quite slow this morning but this evening he was able to answer some difficult questions with accuracy. He wouldn't sit still for lunch or dinner, but he went to bed tonight and stayed there without getting up. It is like he is having a good and a bad day at the same time. I have no idea what to expect tomorrow!

Pax!

Brant

Day 763 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a full day. We were off to a wonderful service at church this morning. I'm always thrilled to see the sanctuary so full! There was special hand bell music from the school and the sermon was actually presented by the younger kids of the church. They did a great job and had most of us in tears this morning.

We returned home after lunch and got right to the Christmas decorating. By the time we went to bed the house had gone a transformation. Advent is well underway and Christmas is just around the corner!

Grayson was a bit off of his game all day. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of the holidays has gotten to him, or maybe just the disruption in the routine. In any event he has been a bit more difficult to participate with.

This too shall pass!

Pax!

Brant

Day 762 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we spent the day getting the house ready for Christmas. We installed a light fixture and brought all of the boxes of decorations up from the garage. Tomorrow we dress the house for Christmas!

Grayson was pretty alert today. We ran several errands together today and Grayson is always willing to ride somewhere with me. In the days before his injury he would fall asleep almost as soon as the engine started. Now when he is in the car he is awake and observes the world outside the entire time – even on long drives.

Tomorrow is the 4^th Sunday of Advent. Only one more week until the Feast of the Nativity!

Pax!

Brant

Day 761 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I arrived to meet up with Regina and Grayson for dinner about 7:00 this evening. They had spent the time after Anishka left doing some Christmas shopping and were ready to eat – so was I!

We had a nice dinner at our favorite local Italian haunt then returned home to watch White Christmas. There are a few ritual Christmas movies that we watch every year in the Reed Haus – this is one (the other essentials are Scrooge and It's a Wonderful Life.)

I'm not sure what Anishka and Regina did with Grayson today, but he went to bed like a sack of potatoes – sound asleep in minutes. How cool is that!!

Pax!

Brant

Day 760 – Grayson’s Journey

My dear family and friends,

Grayson is definitely on a more alert upswing the last couple of days. Most people wouldn't notice but there are small signs throughout the day. At one point he spontaneously started singing a song with me. Usually I have to encourage him by requesting him to join me or by stopping a line which encourages him to complete it. Last night he remembered that Brant was meeting us to select a Christmas tree. Tonight he was able to tell me what he wanted for dinner and 15 minutes later remembered what it was.

When he is in this more active phase he laughs more. He finds something to laugh and giggle about in what he reads, what he watches, and of course in our silly banter with him. It's quite contagious.

As Brant has mentioned before, when Grayson comes out of a low period it also brings an increase in his jumping up during activities. It happened several times during lunch, twice while he was quietly reading, and tonight, right in the middle of "Holiday Inn" movie. When I asked where he was going he said, "To bed". Twice since he has gone to bed his door alarm has gone off.

There is some energy running through him that he's not sure what to do with.

May there be a blessed energy running through each of us.

Peace to you this night,

Regina

Day 759 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Busy days at work for both Regina and I. Thank God for Anishka!

The big news this evening is that we finally got our Christmas tree! Because of our trip to Hawaii we were over two weeks later than normal for our sweet-smelling Advent accessory. Grayson enjoyed our tree-shopping experience this evening and was equally excited to have a Christmas tree in our home.

Now that the tree is here, decoration begins in earnest tomorrow!

Pax!

Brant

Day 758 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today things were back to normal. Regina and I were back to work and Anishka was here to work with Grayson. The last few weeks before Christmas and the year end are suddenly looming both at work and at home!

Grayson had a full course of activity today. Anishka had him out on two brisk walks (the temperature here in Glendale was in the low 50s). She also played some games with him and generally kept him on the go all day. Grayson was pretty alert today. The unfortunate downside is his inability on alert days to go to bed. He has bounced up out of bed several times already this evening.

"Alert" is good.

Pax!

Brant

Day 757 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We are back in sunny Southern California (where it was raining today and the high temperature was 49) from lovely Hawaii (where the temperature is always 80). A long night flight, a fast drive home at 6:00 AM then a few hours sleep in our own beds. I apologize that I forgot to post the blog I wrote on the plane until late in the day. Sleep deprivation caught up with me!

Grayson was pretty alert today considering what we did to him. He never slept a wink on the plane or the drive home (we did – on the plane that is!) We put him in bed as soon as we got the car unloaded (about 7:00 AM) then got him up at noon. He was charming all night and all day. He traveled a lot easier than I thought he would on a long flight.

Tomorrow we are back to normal – as normal as things can be with Christmas just around the corner!

Pax!

Brant

Day 756 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Aloha from somewhere over the Pacific Ocean! There is no internet access on this flight so this blog posting will have to wait until I am home before it can be uploaded.

Today we spent most of the day packing up and making sure that the condo was spic and span before checking out. We had a delightful and spacious unit overlooking the Kona Coast, and right at the foot of the street that leads to Regina's father's house. Great location two ways! We bid our temporary home farewell and headed to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with Papa Tutu. There we chatted, watched the sunset and prepared dinner. It was a bittersweet celebration – it is always hard to go so far away from parents.

Perhaps it was all of the unusual activity this morning, but Grayson was very slow all day. It was not until we were ready to board our flight that Grayson showed some real alertness.

We'll be home in the morning after a short night on the plane.

Pax!

Brant

Day 755 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was day 6 without shoes. These luau feet have quickly become accustomed to the warm island life! Unfortunately our week on Hawaii is rapidly coming to an end.

Today we spent the day with Regina's father completing most of the chores we started during the week. After we finished up for the day we watched the sunset from his lanai. The sunset was one of the best of the week as there have been lots of clouds on the horizon all week. After dark we made dinner at his house and enjoyed time together.

Grayson continued to be aware and alert today. This has been a good week for Grayson – certainly one of on that is out of the norm. Routine went out the window this week!

Tomorrow we pack up and prepare to head home. One last day!

Aloha!

Brant

Day 754 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson and I spent time together today while Regina worked with her father organizing his records. Grayson and I stayed at the condo and spent some time by the pool and the ocean. We ate lunch on our balcony overlooking the crashing waves – and they were especially loud today because of particularly high surf.

Grayson was especially aware today. He was quick to follow instruction and aware of things around him. As always we are blessed by his good nature and cooperative attitude. He is a joy to be around.

Grayson and I picked up Regina and her Dad late this afternoon and took them to dinner. We dined waterfront at sunset and had another wonderful dinner here in lovely Kona as our trip starts to wind down.

Aloha!

Brant

Day 753 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Day 4 on Hawaii! Notice I said ON Hawaii, not just IN Hawaii. Hawaii, the Big Island, is where we are. Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaiian Islands and is larger than all of the other islands combined. However it not the most populous – that honor goes to Oahu, home to Honolulu and Pearl Harbor among many other things. We enjoy our time here on the Big Island of Hawaii!

Today we spent most of our day with Regina's father, who we all call Papa Tutu. I finished working on his computer and Regina worked with him to organize his computer data and his business files. We all broke for an early and leisurely dinner and watched the sun go down over the King Kamehameha Hotel (a.k.a. the King Kam).

Grayson was very in tune with activity today. He did little things that let us know that he was alert and engaged. At one point I said that he should get out on the passenger side of the car, he pulled up the center divider and slid over to get out. At another point Regina said something about her getting her bag and Grayson grabbed it from the back seat and handed it to her. It was a good day for Grayson.

Aloha!

Brant

Day 752 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Day 3 in Hawaii. I haven't had shoes on since Sunday! It is 80 here – as always, but we have not had swimming attire on yet. There is still time!

Today we spent the day with Regina's father. I spent some quality time with his computer and I think that I banished some demons and managed to improve its performance. Regina spent time with her dad discussing plans for the future and finished the afternoon going through a large box of memorabilia.

During one particularly long computer operation, Grayson and I went for a walk. The terrain here is even more hilly (life on a volcano) than home and Grayson had a pretty good workout comparatively. While we were out we picked some plumeria blossoms for Regina and Grayson presented them on our return.

This evening we came back to our condo where we watched the sunset, cooked a tri-tip and enjoyed an evening together.

Aloha!

Brant

Day 751 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we went out to lunch in Downtown Kona. We had a lovely meal across from the seawall on Alii Drive then we did a little shopping. We visited Regina's father this afternoon then we all had dinner with some old business associates of his from Glendale. Here is a picture of the four of us just before his friends arrived.

Grayson was with us and observing the familiar but new sights all day. Familiar because we have been coming here to visit his grandparents every couple of years for his entire life – the last being less than three months before his incident. It is a whole new world now.

Aloha!

Brant

Day 750 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Late last night we arrived here in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Between the arrival, fetching the luggage, getting the rental car, shopping for breakfast groceries, getting the condo keys from the agency and moving into our temporary "home" for a week, it's hard to believe that I forgot to post a blog for yesterday! We arrived safe and sound and awoke to a beautiful Kona morning.

Grayson tolerated the 5 ½ hour flight pretty well. The flight attendants were most helpful and kind – actually all of the American Airlines personnel are to be commended for their kindness towards us and especially Grayson.

Today we spent the better portion of the day with Regina's father. We visited, talked about issues, visited some more and generally spent the day precisely as we intended to on this trip.

More news tomorrow from Kona.

Aloha!

Brant

Day 749 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Oops!

Pax!

Brant

Day 748 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was a bit off of his game today. He woke up a little confused and he was never really able to focus during the day. Some of this might be the disruption to his normal routine, but it is hard to tell.

The routine was interrupted with the preparation for a trip to visit Regina's father. There was a lot of hustle and bustle around the house that was out of the norm. I suspect that this contributed to Grayson's inability to focus. When it was time for bed he pounced in and never budged.

We'll see just how well he adjusts to the next few days!

Pax!

Brant

Day 747 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was in good hands with Anishka today. She made sure that he ate, showered got ready, walked laughed and worked. After she departed late this afternoon, Grayson and I ran some errands then met up with Regina for dinner. Sushi remains one of Grayson's favorite foods and we had our share this evening!

When we returned home we watched UCLA get demolished by Oregon. During the game they spoke of the back-up quarterback having a broken femur. I asked Grayson what a femur was and without hesitation he pointed to his thigh. Wow. It is easy to think of and treat Grayson as a child but he knows and remembers a lot from his past.

Pax!

Brant

Day 746 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Things are back to normal this evening. Last evening I was rushing to get the blog posted before all of my computers and the network ran out of battery power. I succeeded, but the power didn't come back on line until 8:30 this morning – 8 ½ hours without electricity. We had quite a blow here locally. When we got up this morning the spark arrester from our chimney was resting on the sidewalk. Obviously it blew off during the night. I would hate to have had that 20 pound object the size of a small trash can land on my head! The rest of the damage was manageable – large potted plants tipped over, debris all over the yard, the streets and throughout the city. My roofer will be over tomorrow to see if we broke any roof tiles during the flight of the spark arrester. Hurricane-force winds are not what we are accustomed to here in LA!

Grayson was again well tended by Anishka. She took him on walks and kept him interested and occupied all day. What a blessing!

The winds are calm tonight – a peaceful night is in store!

Pax!

Brant