Day 562 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we were all back to work, and so were the crews here at the house. There was lots of noise and pounding, and I am told that Grayson did well in spite of it all.

Grayson has been very aware and active these last few days. He has been using more words to express himself, he has been more attentive to details and he has been significantly less incontinent. All of these are awesome signs.

Pax!

Brant

Day 561 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Happy Memorial Day! Today is the day that we pause to give thanks to the heroes that have "preserved us a nation" (Star Spangled Banner, verse 4, Francis Scott Key). This morning we saw flights of WWII era fighters pass overhead to participate in celebrations around the area. Regina and I talked about the sound – nothing like a formation of propeller-driven warplanes flying in formation to stir the soul or frighten you to the core. It made me empathize with the residents and those in harm's way at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Today was beautiful here in the Foothills. We got out to run a few errands and caught up briefly with Austin and Xixi. Grayson was pretty alert today. He helped me with some chores around the house this afternoon. He also assisted me with the grocery shopping and the all-important task of putting the groceries away!

I leave you with a picture of Grayson and 3 other Scouts honoring the Tomb of the Unknowns at the Arlington National Cemetery in July of 2001 while on their way to the National Scout Jamboree. (Grayson is the Scout in the rear on the right.) It seems an appropriate picture for this day.

Pax!

Brant

Day 560 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today seemed to just disappear! We started a bit slowly this morning and as a result did not have enough time to get Grayson ready for church. As it was it was after 1:00 before we rolled out of the house. This afternoon was spent looking at finishes for the construction currently underway in Lauren's room.

Grayson was happy to roll along with us as we went about or chores today – especially those that involved food! He was also quite easy to be around as we would our way over several hours through the home improvement store. When we arrived home he and I enjoyed a movie over dinner then it was lights out!

Pax!

Brant

Day 559 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we spent the day at Rita and Richard's enjoying wonderful company and the elusive sun. The sun made appearances throughout the day, but long sustained periods did not occur until around 4:00. We talked and laughed all afternoon before we started dinner. Tonight I grilled Copper River Salmon and it was superb, if I must say so myself! Paired with Rita's vegetables and a chardonnay, dinner was a feast!

Grayson was alert and observant today. He always enjoys the presence of company as he likes to follow the conversation. He laughs at all of the humor, even the subtle things. He was content to watch, listen and observe this afternoon. He was also content to graze at the hors d' oeuvres most of the afternoon! When we returned home this evening, he was more than ready to crawl into bed.

A great start to the holiday weekend!

Pax!

Brant

Day 558 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was a bit more alert today. Today was a busy day around the house and he watched with keen interest.

Construction continued in Lauren's room and he liked to poke his head in there to see what was happening at various points throughout the day. One summer in college he worked with these guys on a construction job, so they knew him from before his injury. They greet him warmly and show him what they are doing. Grayson observes for a while then goes back to his books or whatever he is doing at the time.

This evening Grayson and I went to the fish store and the grocery to shop for our holiday weekend. The weather is expected to be in the high 70s tomorrow so the "observed" summer of Memorial Day to Labor Day will be kicked off in Southern California style – poolside at Rita and Richard's with a BBQ!

Pax!

Brant

Day 557 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

I must admit Grayson did not get much attention today.  It was the kind of day that made it hard to give him the full attention he deserves.

Here are a few of the distractions. I was trying to give as much attention to my job as possible during business hours.  Early this morning I met with my brother, also our contractor, about needed home repairs as well as the condition of my sweet sister-in-law who is battling colon cancer.  Later in the afternoon I moved all of Lauren’s things out of her bedroom so we could remove carpet, scrape the acoustic (cottage cheese) ceiling, re-plaster and paint.  (Oh, and she is out of town for a couple of weeks, hence is not available to assist.) I had dental and other appointments and was chasing down electric circuit problems that suddenly appeared.

Grayson is content to watch all the activity around him and is easily occupied with either books or television. I confess I used these to keep him safe and happy.  We realize life is a balancing act and by definition that means that the balancing is not static but sways back and forth with constant correcting effort. Today the balance swayed away from Grayson.

When we were able to give Grayson our full attention this evening, we were both struck by just how endorphins affect him.  We were laughing and being silly about something during dinner and his giggles completely took over his body.  His face stretched into an uncontrollable grin, he ducked his head, doubled over and expelled an audible breath of laughing that was absolutely contagious.  What a joy that, among his many compromised functions, his funny bone is still so much intact.

Make a joyful noise,

Regina

Day 556 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

Grayson was fairly non-verbal again today and as a result I found myself expending a lot of energy drawing him out.

Later this afternoon I concentrated on getting his body in motion rather than his voice. We walked up hill and down, we marched together, we "ran" a race, and we danced. We danced the jitterbug and we danced the twist. At one point, I was exercising by myself to music and he was watching me. He stood up, put his arms around me to give me a hug and started to dance a slow dance.
Sometimes it's just easier to do than to speak. It all says "I love you".

May your day be filled with such joy.

Peace,

Regina