Day 1142 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I apologize that it has been 5 days since our last blog post. Here at this particular condo in Mammoth we have very limited internet connectivity. Here is a short synopsis of our last few days!

After Christmas we were extremely busy getting ready for our Mammoth ski trip while simultaneously closing out many yearend “must-do” tasks. We managed to get everything done and hit the road for Mammoth around 4:30 on Friday afternoon. We arrived safe and sound late Friday night.

Saturday morning Austin and Xixi joined us after a short flight from LA. Saturday afternoon Grayson had his first ski lesson of the season at Disabled Sports Easter Sierra (DSES). I was amazed at how well Grayson did, although 8 months of being away from skiing had him pretty tired at the end of the first day.

Sunday morning Austin and I had a brief but fun time on the mountain before heading back to the condo to collect Grayson for his afternoon lesson at DSES. Austin and I accompanied Grayson on his lesson He showed some symptoms of muscle soreness and tiredness which I suspect was a result of the hard work the prior day. Nonetheless he did have fun! We returned back to our condo base camp so Austin could get ready for a special night out with Xixi – a Sno-Cat Dinner at the Paralax Restaurant mid-mountain at the McCoy Station at Mammoth.

Midway through the dinner, we received a text message that Xixi had said “Yes!” Austin had proposed and had bought her a ring that he presented at dinner. What a special way to end 2012!

Today Regina dropped me at the Little Eagle for my annual ski lesson. It was a good morning and a great lesson! Austin and Regina got Grayson up and ready then I met up with them at the Main Lodge in time for Grayson’s afternoon lesson. While Austin, Grayson and I skied, the girls went to the spa. We had a fun dinner at the Yodeler Restaurant back at the Main Lodge when we all finished.

Today as 2012 winds to a close, we wish all of you our love and blessings for a prosperous and joyous new year!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1137 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It has been a hectic time at the Reed Haus! Getting ready for Christmas, hosting our extended brood for Christmas dinner – we wouldn’t have it any other way, but it does make for a busy time!

Grayson was fascinated by all of the commotion and laughter and activity on Christmas. He enjoyed opening his gifts and kept picking and flipping through the pages of a book he was given. We were all tired today, but all needed to get up and start preparing for the next activity. Lots to do before Friday!

For the next two weeks it is officially Christmas. May you keep the spirit in your heart throughout the coming year!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1134 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

As we were reminded by the kids at church this morning, this is “the day before the day before!”

Grayson was again sharp as a tack today. He is in such a better place than he was just a few weeks ago. And just in time for Christmas!

The blessings of the season are upon us. May they also be with you!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1133 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a sleep-in day followed by a Christmas menu planning and hunter-gatherer day! After Regina and worried about and decided on the Christmas menu, Grayson and I headed out to gather the ingredients. These outings are great for Grayson. Today was especially good as he had to work his cart around a great many shoppers doing the same thing we were – playing hunter-gatherers for their own feasts! Today was particularly unusual as I had to get a cart and push one myself when Grayson’s became too full. It is handy to have a 6’2” helper, but he needs a fair amount of extra supervision and instruction.

Tomorrow is the 4^th Sunday in advent meaning that the wait is almost over and the Feast of the Nativity is almost at hand!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1132 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was sharp as a tack today. It is amazing how he can change in a week! While the average Joe might not notice a difference, we certainly do! He was quick to respond, very alert and totally tuned in to any and all activity around him. What a blessing before Christmas and before our annual ski trip!

Today was the last day of work for me for 2012. While I will have a few things to clean up in my “spare time” over the holiday, the next time I check in for work will be Monday the 7^th of January, as I’ll be taking the first few workdays of the year as vacation. Regina is not so lucky and will be working several days next week as she prepares for financial year-end.

Now the pressing concern is focusing on getting everything ready for Christmas. We’ll have a houseful for Christmas Day, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1131 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Wow! The work year is almost over – tomorrow is the last day of our working year. Time for preventative maintenance and mostly a plant shutdown, although there are some facilities that will continue to work in order to maintain schedules committed to our customers. Today was a long day but the end is in sight! One of the nice thing about the year-end shutdown is that almost the entire workforce is off so that you don’t fall behind like you would if you were on vacation. It is the most worry-free time off of the year!

Grayson remained active and alert today. He is looking forward to Christmas, candy and skiing during the next two weeks!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1130 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I just realized that my last post was Sunday – I’m falling a bit behind! I think that late nights and early mornings are beginning to catch up with me. Lots of extra year-end assignments and only two more days left in our work year – yikes! It looks as if I am starting to get things under control. Regina, on the other hand, has another full week of work days left. She barely has time to come up for air.

Grayson has been wide-eyed and alert these past few days. It is fun to see, and I’m so glad since Christmas is coming and we will be skiing soon. I so want him to be in an up cycle for those wonderful days where we really get to play together

Off to bed – another early day tomorrow!.

Pax!

Brant

Day 1127 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friend

Early this evening our church, Salem Lutheran, held its annual Christmas Concert. Both Lauren and I were involved – Lauren in the Bell Choir and I in the adult Sanctuary Choir. It was a wonderful concert with the entire set of musical ensembles represented – children choirs, adult choir, hand bell choir, organist and a brass ensemble – what an evening!

Grayson attended with Regina and he was quite enveloped in the concert.

After the concert, Austin and Xixi joined Regina, Grayson and me for dinner at a seafood restaurant in Glendale. Another extended church family was there also so it felt as if we had taken over the joint! We had a chatty and very pleasant evening together and still had time to get home before too late. I sure like the 5:00 PM concert time better than the 7:30 we used to have!

I believe that there is no denying it any longer – Christmas is almost upon us!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1126 – Grayson’s Journey

 Dear family and friends

It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on the 3^rd Sunday in Advent already – Rose Sunday. Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye!

Lauren and I spent the morning rehearsing in preparation for the Christmas Concert at church. The concert is tomorrow evening, and Lauren is playing in the Bell Choir, and I am singing with the Sanctuary Choir. After what I heard this morning, it will be a wonderful concert!

Grayson was quite alert today. I believe that he is definitely on the way out of his recent down cycle – good news for Christmas!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1125 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Tonight was family baking night at the Reed Haus! Lauren, Zack, Austin and Xixi were all here as we turned the kitchen into a diabetic dream come true! We made shortbread and sugar cookies as fast as we could. Entertainment was provided by Christmas videos – White Christmas and Home Alone were the features for the evening.

One of my dreams was to have a kitchen that was the gathering point for our family and friends – one that was large enough that everyone could feel that they were a part of the activity. Tonight I realized that here was a dream fulfilled – all of us working in the kitchen at the same time and having a ball making edible treats for now and memories forever.

Grayson was very happy eating our mistakes tonight – in his mind there is no such thing as a bad cookie! And as he watched Home Alone, he was a squirreling ball of hilarious laughter. He is so fun to watch!

What a fun night with our kids!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1124 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Just when I think that things couldn’t be busier, I am proven wrong again! We just have to roll with the inevitable changing plans and new deadlines we are given. We will make this work and all of our year-end deadlines will be met and our Christmas dinner will be perfect. The power of optimism!

Grayson seems to be slowly crawling out of his down cycle. He has been a bit more alert than he was last week – a good sign! We are praying for an up-cycle for Christmas and the subsequent Ski trip.

Pax!

Brant

Day 1123 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

The month of December (and 2012 for that matter!) continues to move forward at flank speed. Naturally, externally imposed crises and deadlines are leaping out from our offices at both Regina and I, just as they always do! I’m always amazed that as I approach year-end with my workload carefully planned out, how many things that others throw on my plate with crisis-like urgency. Ah well, it has been that way for the past 35 years of my career – why should it change now! In fact, why am I surprised? We’ll get it done, and still have a beautiful Christmas no matter what comes our way!

Grayson was very tired today – for good reason. He wandered into our room at 12:30 this morning. I put him back to bed then he walked out of his room again at 3:00. Adequate sleep was not to be for Grayson last night, and tonight he went to bed with little difficulty. Let’s hope that he gets a good night’s rest on this rainy night tonight!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1121 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a wild one for Regina and I. We were all over trying to make sure that our year-end activities at work are on target. Grayson stayed home with Maria.

Grayson appears that he may be rising out of the down cycle. While it is still early, he showed some signs of awakening – greater verbosity, more control and following more complex directions. What a great thing as we approach the Christmas Holiday!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1120 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

After church today we went shopping at Costco. While the stuff we acquired was pretty mundane (household goods and some groceries), a visit to Costco always seems to have the feel of provisioning up for a long journey. We left the store after spending over 2 hours and filling 2 shopping carts with merchandise. It’s a miracle that it all fit in the car!

Grayson was amazing. As always I have him push my cart. He deftly steered the cart among the (mostly oblivious) shoppers. The generally crowded store was even more packed than usual with people shopping for the holidays. I was quite impressed that Grayson was able to keep up with me and was quite patient with the crowds as he weaved and bobbed his way through the store!

After we arrived home and finished putting all of the new items away, we watched Miracle on 34^th Street while we cooked dinner. The Reed Haus is definitely in the Christmas spirit!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1119 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We had a special visit today from one of Grayson’s old Scout buddies – Lenny Ortega and his girlfriend Sara. Lenny and Grayson were buddies from early on in their Boy Scout days. They learned to ski together, were fellow members of the Order of the Arrow Ceremonies Team for our lodge, and shared many common interests. Here is a picture of Lenny (2^nd from the left), Grayson (3^rd from the left) and Austin (far right) in their OA ceremony costumes in May of 2002. Today during Lenny’s visit we reminisced about some of the funnier incidents that occurred during those years. Grayson could barely breathe he laughed so hard. What great memories that we all have – and that Grayson also remembers. What a wonderful visit we had.

As parents, these visits touch us to the core. The laughter and fun we once all shared together we get to relive. And we also see that Grayson is not forgotten by his old friends. We know that it will grow increasingly difficult for those old school and Scout buddies to visit as years pass, but each visit is treasured.

Pax!

Brant

Day 1118 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson is still in a down cycle, however I did see a glimmer of hope this evening. We were watching the movie The Santa Clause and we had to pause it for a few minutes. It was paused right at the point when Tim Allen picked up the pants of the former Santa Claus and was staring at the huge waistline – freeze frame. Grayson looked up at the picture just rolled with laughter. Then he went back to his magazine for a little, looked up and started rolling with laughter again. This happened over and over again. It was so fun to watch!

Perhaps he is in a down cycle, but he has not lost his sense of humor!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1117 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson continues in his down cycle that I have discussed the past few days. He is still loving and affectionate but he has an inability to string two things together. Let’s hope that this ends soon!

I am spending time back in physical therapy – this time for a back injury. Nothing “serious”, but if it interferes with our ski trip in 3 week, it WILL be serious! I’m taking good care of myself in the meantime!

The construction crew is back to work in our master bathroom after a 3 week hiatus waiting for an exterior door that has delayed the entire job. At least we are back in the bedroom and no longer sleeping in the living room!

In the grand scheme of things – it’s all good!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1116 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Busy days for Regina and I as we have been flying around for work – year-end deadlines are looming!

Grayson is officially in a down cycle. I thought yesterday may have been a fluke (bad night sleep or something) but he was there again today confirming that he is in one of his cycles. When he is like this he is difficult to engage and has a very tough time accomplishing the simplest of tasks – things that he would normally do easily. When he is like this, as much as I wish it were different, he is sort of “along for the ride” instead of engaging in the journey.

Hopefully this will pass soon!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1115 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a very different day for Grayson. After being so alert for so long, today he had trouble following any instruction or working through any problem. He was just stuck most of the day. I have no idea why he is alert some days and off kilter on another. It is just a fact of life.

Brain injury leaves the care givers in a very unpredictable place.

Pax!

Brant

Day 1114 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

This evening was special! Lauren and Xixi dropped in to carry all of the Christmas boxes upstairs from the garage. It was truly touching because I have been suffering from a back injury the past three weeks and I really couldn’t lift them. Austin arrived later and all joined us for a dinner of a large pot of beef stew that the girls helped me prepare earlier. It was a delightful evening!

Grayson was thrilled with all of the excitement and could hardly sit down. He wandered all over hugging anything that moved and was very interested in all of the things going on. Regina hung a few decorations and the house is now (in the words of Meredith Willson), “Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1113 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was another busy day. The focus has shifted from getting the house ready for Thanksgiving to getting everything ready for Christmas!

At the market today, Grayson, as he always does, pushes the shopping cart for me. About halfway through the shopping run I realized that we would never fit everything in the one cart and went to the door to get another. By this time his cart was so heavy that he had real problems steering the cart. This was a first in all of the times I have taken him shopping! We made it through together (I helped steer as necessary). Grayson got a workout!

Pax!

Brant

Day 1112 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,
 
With all emotion and love I must say that I married the perfect man (for me).
 
Brant can barely wait until December 1st. Today we brought home our Christmas tree. Tonight we had our annual blubber fest as we watched Albert Finney in the quintessential Christmas redemption movie/musical Scrooge.

I can't imagine anyone who approaches life with more optimism than Brant. I also cannot imagine sharing the challenges of our life with anyone else. Grayson is lucky to have a dad like Brant and they are both generous showing affection to one another. This didn't come overnight. It comes from a lifetime of gratitude and a spirit of joy. 

I can only pray that our other children find partners that will share the joy of life with them and love and support them through good and tough times. Dreams and plans don't always turn out the way we expect or hope for them to. They can, however different than planned, be full and childlike and worthy. 

With gratitude for finding a man who is as sappy as I am, 

Regina