Day 814 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was a bit more alert than he has been for the past few days, but still on the down side of his current cycle. Due to the rain today, Anishka was unable to take him on his walks – too bad since that is good exercise and activity for him. They stayed indoors and read, played games and did puzzles as therapy today.

This evening Grayson and I watched Iron Man while Regina was out working with a new Cub Scout pack. We had a fun evening with a fun movie. Downtime is good!

Pax!

Brant

Day 813 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Monday, Monday!

Grayson was a bit slow today as he has been for the past few days. He has been particularly non-verbal as well as slow to do much. Clearly he is in the middle of one of his down cycles. The cycles are now part of our life and we have become used to them, though we are never fond of the down cycles. With God's help he will be back on the upswing soon.

Pax!

Brant

Day 812 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

While most of the United States was thinking that this was Super Bowl Sunday (which it was) it was also Scout Sunday, celebrating the start of Scouting Anniversary Week. Scouting Anniversary week runs through next Saturday which is Scout Sabbath and commemorates the founding of the Boy Scouts of America in the United States in February 1910. Our church was packed with Scouts of all shapes and sizes this morning and many of the worship assistants performed their duties in Scout uniform instead of traditional vestments. It was quite a sight! Even Grayson appeared in the Assistant Scoutmaster uniform that he wore prior to his injury.

We did watch the Super Bowl today and the most fun thing for us after the game was to watch Ramses Barden touch the Vince Lombardi trophy after the game as it was carried to the podium. Ramses was a classmate of Grayson and a teammate of Austin at Flintridge Prep. Probably the only Flintridge Prep student to go on to the NFL and now he has a Super Bowl ring to go along with his 2003 CIF Championship ring. How cool is that!

Austin and Xixi dropped by for a short time to see the end of the Super Bowl and so Grayson got a full dose of Scouts, sports and family today. Tomorrow we are back to the regular schedule!

Pax!

Brant

Day 811 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was my first full day back in the Pacific Time Zone since Sunday! Grayson and I both lounged a bit as Regina scurried off to a high school reunion. While it was an unusual reunion year – the 42^nd – it was actually a 60^th birthday party for the entire class – an awesome reason for celebration! Grayson and I tried not to get into too much mischief in the absence of adult supervision.

When Regina returned from her reunion and Grayson and I returned from our afternoon of errands, we went to an early dinner of sushi. We were home early and most were in bed early tonight.

Weekends are good!

Pax!

Brant

Day 810 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I arrived home from the airport about half past 10 this evening and Grayson was up in our room with Regina watching a movie. Now when Grayson watches a movie or TV he is frozen. It is extremely rare that you can get his attention to do anything. One of the problems with his injury is that he simply cannot focus on one thing if something else is going on around him. When I walked in the room after having been gone all week, Grayson pointed at me then he stood up and came over and gave me a hug – even as the movie was playing. That felt pretty good.

The gift of unconditional love is special.

Pax!

Brant

Day 809 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

After three days of encouraging signs of improvement, Grayson had difficulty following one step directions today. He barely spoke one word answers and struggled with the simplest tasks of clothing management.

The vagaries of anoxic brain injury are a roller coaster ride.

Life is a gift. Accept it.

Peace,

Regina

Day 808 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

Grayson's caregiver asked him around lunchtime if he was hungry. "Yes, I am", was the reply.

When she was leaving at the end of the day she gave him a hug and said goodbye. "What do you say?" I prompted him. "I'll miss you" he replied.

Wow! Two spontaneous, albeit mumbled, multi-word sentences in one day.

Enough said.

Thanks be to God.

Regina