Day 917 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

Lauren flew back to Kentucky this morning after a wonderful week's visit. She impressed us with how much she matured in just nine months.

The clarity of hindsight lends insight to just how much she was affected by Grayson's injury and subsequent dramatic changes. Gone was the older brother she knew and the familiar patterns and relationship they had developed throughout her childhood. Instead there was an unfamiliar person -- a little frightening and unpredictable with strange habits, smells, mouth noises, posture, and poor communication skills. He took a tremendous amount of mom and dad's attention just when she was going through her own growth and challenges.

When she left it was hard at times even for her to be in the same room with Grayson.

Yesterday, on her last full day on the West Coast we spent the day at the Los Angeles Zoo – Lauren, Grayson, Brant and I.

While Brant stood in line to get our admission tickets, Lauren offered to put sunscreen on Grayson. When we entered the turnstile and started up the incline into the park, Lauren took Grayson's hand and offered to trade off guiding him along our walks. This was something she would not have done before she left. It touched me so deeply to see a genuine affection return between them. What grace filled her to allow this healing and generosity.

I can say without any doubt that saying goodbye to her today was filled with joy, quite a contrast to the pain, fear, and desperate hope I experienced when she left in September.

For homecomings, growth, and family I give God my thanksgiving and praise.

Regina