Just like Kate, I have been past due--not for a baby, thank goodness!--but for a blog post. And since Kate delivered her baby yesterday, I'd better get busy too.
What used to be such a simple task has become so much more difficult for me. And I miss it so much. I hate that I've neglected something so good for me and that always brought such joy.
Anyhow...
We are back in Colorado after a lovely and WARM March in Arizona.
I've been cold ever since. But with my electric blanket and my Maddie-girl to snuggle, I have yet to turn into a popsicle!
It is good to be back home and back into our normal and busy schedule.
We hope summer will bring some emptier days that require brainstorming at the breakfast table to fill, but until then, there are appointments, activities at the Stroke Center and errands to run in between...
I did qualify for bus service with Access-a-Ride, which is part of Denver's RTD service. I am taking the bus to and from my activities at the Stroke Center on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.
The bus comes to the end of our driveway and then takes me right to where I need to go. The drivers are kind and helpful and walk me to the door to make sure I arrive safely. It gives Mom and Dad a break from chauffeuring and I've met some interesting people.
The independence is good for me and only requires a simple phone call to their reservation line to schedule my trips each week.
In other news, I am joining our church after attending for the past year and teaching Sunday school with Dad. We are now teaching the middle school class and enjoy our time on Sundays with a group of great kids.
Physical therapy is super hard work, but I am seeing progress and have even begun to leave my cane at home on a regular basis! It feels good to have better balance and some ability to get around more easily - even if Tuesday's PT class keeps me sore through Friday each week!I am also doing lite gait therapy on Saturdays. It is a pretty cool treadmill that I couldn't fall off, no matter how hard I tried. You can google "litegait" to see pictures of it, if you really want to see it for yourself.
Dad is now unwired from his broken jaw in Arizona and is now eating with a fork instead of a straw and is able to talk more easily too.
Mom and I are thrilled for him and are quick to tell everyone that he never once complained during his six weeks of being completely wired shut. He is amazing! I'm sure I would have done nothing but complain...
We don'yt have any big summer plans except to be home and to be warm and to spend some time at the pool each day. I can hardly wait!
Counseling is going well and I am becoming more and more independent and confident, all while hearing God tell me that dependence and neediness are good things. I, of course, struggle with that balance as I long to become independent and more self-sufficient in daily life.
It's hard to believe that I have been living in Denver with my parents for a year now, but it really has been that long. I have not seen my girls during this year and I miss them each day and pray for them constantly. I have heard from Toben that they are doing well and I imagine they are excited for summer vacation and for school to be out.
Wishing you all a happy spring filled with blooming flowers and warm sunshine.
With love,
Joanne
P.S. Maybe independence is really about living in dependence rather than being totally self-sufficient. Hmmm... Independence by living in dependence. Something to ponder...
J.