Day 654 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends,

Grayson woke up alert and happy this morning. He went through his morning routine with me answering my questions and smiling.

He was alert all day but seemed to lack the ability to follow through with the sequence of several daily routines. These are things we do many times a day. For example, in an effort to improve continence we take a restroom break every waking hour. This is a lot of repetition of these tasks from opening the toilet clear through washing and drying his hands. Over the course of the past year that he has been living at home with us – well, you can do the math as to how many repetitions that has been. Today he just couldn't execute all of the steps without significant cueing. During the last couple of hours before I put him to bed, he finally was able to get through most of the routine on his own.

Today was the kind of day where patience was of utmost importance. Today was the kind of day I just couldn't be in a hurry.

When my children were little I used to a particular prayer posted on my laundry room wall and it is, in fact, still one of my favorite bookmarks. I share it with all of you especially with those of you who have young children and for those of us whose children will always be young in some ways.

 

Parents Prayer by Mary L. Robbins

They are little only once LORD. Grant me the wisdom and patience to teach them to follow in your footsteps and prepare them for what is to come.

They are little only once LORD. Make me take the time to play pretend, to read or tell a story; to cuddle. Don't let me for one minute think anything is more important than the school play, the recital, the big game, fishing, or the quiet walk hand in hand. All too soon LORD they will grow away and there is no turning back. Let me have my memories with no regrets.

Please help me to be a good parent, LORD. When I must discipline, -- let me do it in love, let me be firm, but fair; let me correct and explain with patience.

They are growing away LORD. While I have the chance let me do my best for them. For the rest of our lives, please LORD, let me be their very best friend.

 

I wish you peace and patience,

Regina

Day 653 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was fairly alert today. He worked with Regina on speech clarity for a bit today and had some success on his understandability, but each word is a new struggle. Stringing them together in a cohesive sentence is just not in the cards today.

Grayson and Lauren watched a movie this evening as I prepared dinner – Burlesque. I couldn't help but tune in to it also – what a fun movie!

Pax!

Brant

Day 652 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was back to work and reality after a long weekend away. Regina and I were both buried with work after a short time away. Fortunately Grayson was a champ most of the day.

This evening Grayson and I prepared dinner for the girls while watching a movie that they would not appreciate – Sum of All Fears. We had a "guy" evening, in a manner of speaking!

Pax!

Brant

Day 651 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we enjoyed a wonderful morning with our friends Mike and Jill in Napa before heading on the long drive home. We had a great weekend and it was sad to leave!

Grayson was alert and awake almost all the way home. For those that knew Grayson in the pre-injury past, Grayson + car on drive = sound asleep. This is one of those changes that we are still amazed with.

We ate dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant when we hit La Cañada, so we were well fed and ready for bed when we arrived home. A fitting end to a great weekend!

Pax!

Brant

Day 650 - Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we enjoyed a wonderful day in Napa with our dear friends Mike and Jill. Grayson was last here at the beginning of his senior year in high school – nearly 8 years ago. A lot has changed since then.

Today we relaxed and had an easy start to our day. We went into downtown Napa for lunch then wandered about the downtown area. Grayson was a good tourist as we popped in and out of shops! We ended our afternoon gathering the major ingredients for our dinner before heading back home with our hosts for the evening.

At one point this evening Mike gave Grayson a small bowl of trail mix to fill the hole he always seems to have before dinner. He sat down outside on a couch to eat his treasures and one of the dogs patiently watched him as he slowly consumed the mix of nuts and dried berries. When he got down to the last almond and cranberry, he reached into his bowl and handed the almond to the dog. That sweet gesture tells me that Grayson still has a generous heart.

Tonight we enjoyed another wonderful meal and a celebration of Regina's belated birthday. Thanks to our hosts for such a special day!

Pax!

Brant

Day 649 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today Grayson had to sit in the car for a long time – 6+ hours to be exact! We drove to Napa to visit our dear friends Mike and Jill for the weekend. This is a rescheduled birthday trip for Regina who lost out when I decided to go to the hospital instead of vacationing with her last June. While grateful that I am still here, I'd much rather be vacationing than in the hospital!

Grayson has been charming all day, though a bit low energy. This evening he perked up, but a lot of that has to do with the conversation around him. He loves to listen when interesting conversation is in the air. He laughs and listens intently, but does not try and join the conversation. I'd love it if he joined in more.

Mike and Jill have two large dogs. After dinner, they came into the dining room to join us, but not to mooch food off of the table. At one point they were complimented on their behavior and rewarded with some affection. A little later, we complimented Grayson on something and he patted himself on the head like the dogs!

Something is still going on in there!

Pax!

Brant

Day 648 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I'm home tonight after a 3 hour flight delay out of Phoenix. The coolest temperature I saw while there this week was 91°, so it was quite pleasant to arrive in Burbank's Bob Hope Airport to temps in the 80s. I'm glad it won't be 112° here like it was in Arizona!

Regina tells me that Grayson was just not on his game today. He had tremendous difficulty speaking and putting words together to communicate. In the short time this evening that I worked with him he had difficulty focusing and was quite quiet.

Tomorrow we head to Napa for a rescheduled weekend with friends. We are all looking forward to getting away to play for a few days!

Pax!

Brant