Day 935 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grace and peace to all of you this evening!

I was away most of the day and evening, so I have little news about Grayson to report. I’ll take my leave until tomorrow!

Pax!

Brant

Day 934 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we were truly “back to normal”! The glow of the weekend has faded a bit, but is still with us. The pull of life has taken over again and we are truly back in the saddle!

Grayson had a good day in the Southern California sunshine during his walks today. Anishka took him on two walks and also did his home therapy program – the THPs that we were so used to at CNS.

After work Grayson and I went to the market to replenish the supplies here at home that were previously devoured. We prepared dinner while watching the Kings finally lose a game in the Stanley Cup finals then enjoyed a relaxed remainder of the evening watching some TV (while I elevated and iced my knee!)

Back to “normal” is good!

Pax!

Brant

Day 933 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

With all of the conversation about my Uncle and Aunt’s 65^th wedding anniversary this weekend, Grayson didn’t get a lot of air time in the blog!

As always, Grayson is an easy traveler – very pliable and willing to do what is needed where he can. He pulls his own luggage, although he tends to take corners too sharply and his drag behind luggage can get stuck on things. The biggest frustration is the pace at which he walks – slowly. In a large airport this can make the journey seem like a thousand miles, and crossing a street a bit nerve wracking. The trick is to encourage him and not worry too much about it. The only time that things get scary is if you are late for your plane. Rule #1 in all things with Grayson – leave lots of extra time!

It was good for the entire family to see Grayson. Most have met him at one point in their lives, and many had attended his high school plays, attended his high school graduation, had him over for special occasions and truly watched him grow up. Since his incident, he has only seen a few family members, as many have moved out of the area. However everyone knows his story and has supported us faithfully with prayers and messages for the past 2½ years. They were thrilled to see Grayson this weekend.

During the Anniversary Celebration in the old barn, now converted to a wedding venue, my cousin Wes was giving a good natured roast to his parents, Uncle Bob and Aunt Imogene. He had us all in stitches laughing. But even Wes remarked that when he looked over at Grayson, he was laughing uncontrollably – and that he was! Grayson thoroughly enjoyed listening to the speakers and was tuned in to the celebration.

So in a nutshell, Grayson traveled easily, everyone enjoyed seeing him with us, and he was attentive and engaged in the activities of the weekend. He also passed out about a thousand hugs. In spite of all of his challenges, he is living life as well as he can.

Pax!

Brant

Day 932 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a relaxed travel day.  We slept in for the first time in days, although it was still early for Grayson who normally gets up at 9:30.

We departed the hotel at 11:30 and took a leisurely cruise out of Walla Walla (“leisurely” means that we stopped for a Starbucks on our way out of town!) We took one last walk down memory lane on our way to I-84. Instead of heading straight down SR 11 from Walla Walla to Pendleton, we took the drive down the old state highway now known as Winn Road – named after my mother’s family that settled there well over 100 years ago.

We pulled into the old homestead and walked around one last time – taking in the beautiful spring sights that I had never before seen. You see, all of my visits to the family farm had been either in the winter or the late summer. That means that the wheat (the dominant crop of the area) had either not yet germinated or was golden and ready to harvest. This was the first time that I had seen the luscious green wheat in the field – miles and miles of green carpet that will become bread, pastry, pasta and a multitude of other products that we depend on. We city-dwellers often forget them, but we need our farmers. I’m proud to say that my parents were a product of that honorable profession.

Mom and Dad allowed me to spend some special summer weeks while growing up with Uncle Bob, Aunt Imogene and their family. I had a small sampling of farm life during those precious times. We moved irrigation pipe, weeded, rode on the combines during harvest, hauled grain to the elevator – all chores that needed to be done and that we willingly did. There was also great fun, pranks, and play. The connections that resulted bonded us together forever – my cousins are the siblings I never had. Bob and Imogene hold a special place in my heart. And this is why we were there for their special weekend honoring their 65 years of marriage.

It took us a long time to leave the farm. We then headed down the road for one last look at Weston. Weston is the town where my mother’s other brother, Peyton, settled with his lovely bride Jessie after leaving the farm. This is where my other 5 cousins grew up and where I would spend time with them. We drove even slower than the 20 MPH speed limit as we passed through town. We never know if we will pass this way again. We savored the moment.

An old Scouter told me once that our job as parents was to give our children roots and wings. Most of the offspring of the three siblings that grew up on the farm – Peyton, Ellen and Bob – have moved away and have lives and careers elsewhere. However, the roots remain and they bind us all together. And from time to time we will return to the homestead to celebrate that tradition and bask in the love, freedom and faith that we have been given.

Pax!

Brant

Day 931 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Wow – what a day!

Our day started with a church service to celebrate Bob and Imogene’s 65^th wedding anniversary at the Community Church of Weston. The family choir had expanded to 25 folks and we were the service! Here is a picture of us all. The church was really rocking with music and love this morning!

Next the celebration continued at the historic barn on the family farm. The barn has been lovingly repurposed into a wedding venue by my cousin Preston and his lovely bride Arlene. Today we used it for the anniversary celebration. The old barn was a lively place this afternoon as tales were told, more songs were sung, and tears of joy were shed.

After clean-up and good-byes, we headed up to the house to have a little quiet time with Bob and Imogene. We had a wonderful visit! Considering that the last time I was here was 1995, I didn’t want to leave without spending a little more time with my uncle and aunt that have provided me with so many wonderful memories.

We finished our day eating an awesome Thai dinner with Doug and Kemi. We were talking for so long after dinner that we had no idea that the restaurant had closed an hour before we realized it. The quality of the conversation was good indeed!

All through the past few days Grayson has been a trooper. He has listened and laughed to the countless stories that have been told, he has listened to a ton of music, and he has gone everywhere with us. Through it all he has been happy and glad to see all he has met or become reacquainted with.

This family has such a wonderful connection and we are tied together through so much love. We are blessed indeed!

Pax!

Brant

Day 930 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we gathered in the Community Church in Weston Oregon (population 717) to rehearse our music for the celebration of the 65^th wedding anniversary of my Uncle Bob and Aunt Imogene. Today had more memorable moments than I could possibly capture here but here are a few highlights:

·         This is the first time that all 10 cousins (grandchildren of George and Anna) have ever gathered in one place. (Uncle Peyton’s 5 kids, Uncle Bob’s 4 and me, the only child of Ellen.)

·         The choir of 20 for the celebration is made up entirely of family. The conductor is my cousin and look-alike, Wes. And they sound really good! (Wouldn’t Grandma Anna be proud?)

·         We arrived at the church in the middle of the annual town parade. The parade included a camel and a calliope (not bad for a town this size!)

·         The most mature of the 10 cousins celebrated her 50^th high school reunion today – Weston High School Class of 1962.

I had a wonderful visit with my Uncle Bob this evening. It was special to spend some time with him again as he was so very close to me as I grew up. We shared some special moments that we have spent together, he shared his deep love and appreciation for his sister, my mother, and he also shared his special fondness for my father. I will cherish our special and quiet time we spent together today. Tomorrow’s celebration will be much livelier, and I hope that he will have the strength to enjoy all of it with the rest of us.

Tomorrow is a big day!

Pax!

Brant

Day 929 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a long travel day - first the flight to Portland then the drive to Eastern Oregon. We are now getting into bed after finally getting settled in.

We had a delightful dinner with several of my cousins and an aunt as soon as we arrived in Walla Walla this evening. It was great to catch up as we haven’t seen much of each other lately. We have an early (for Grayson) morning tomorrow and two full days ahead with the entire clan, so it was great to spend some time with a small group!

I am so glad we came up here. Family is a special blessing.

Pax!

Brant