Sunday, December 6, 2009

Update 12/6/09 Day 28

Dear friends,

Have you ever had that feeling that the inside of you was going 80 miles per hour, and the outside of you was saying "cut that out!" Judy the Good (and I mean really GOOD), gave me a needed talkin' to yesterday when she said I needed a bit of "slow down" time. I do believe she's got it right. I just haven't figured out how to do that yet. But I'm looking to the One who knew perfect balance even in the middle of wind and waves. Just a little further down the pilgrim highway I can see a bit of a rest area. It's around that bend when Stephen comes home. Much of my revved engine mentality is a result of daily trips to Schenectady. I think my van has become part of my wardrobe.

Insurance companies write mean letters. I'm so thankful for the attorneys who are walking me through the strange, bizarro land of No Fault papers, disability papers, and...other papers. When you go to law school, is there a course called "filling out papers"? Dan the Wise and Sharon the Kind are taking care of a million details for me. I don't know what I would do without them. Seems like everyone has a part to play in this weird world of post accident clean-up. "We have different gifts according to the grace given us..."Romans 12:6.

Hannah had a very long assessment due for her therapy on Tuesday. She worked hard to concentrate on her work. Concentration is one of the key milestones in brain injury recovery. Tomorrow she will have a short visit to school, and she'll begin being tutored in math. Wow. Four weeks ago today she was unconscious and intubated on a stretcher in trauma bay A1 at Albany Medical Center. Tomorrow she goes shopping with big girlfriend Amy for some warm clothes. (Poor kid, all she has are canvas shoes and summer flip flops. What kind of mother am I)? If you don't shout Hallelujah, the rocks are going to have to do it. God truly has shown off His unfailing love to us, hasn't He? I'll tell you what, though. He would still be a God of faithful love even if the outcome had been different. Look at all those who have lost their husbands and children. You don't have to look far. He is a mystery to us, and there are things hidden in darkness we don't comprehend. "Now we see through a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face..."

Stephen got a haircut today from his favorite barber - ME! Don't pick on him when you see the gouge I took out over his left ear. Hey, it's hard to cut hair on a guy who only bends at the middle. His nurse and I shampooed him too - his first hair wash since November 8. He's raring to go for tomorrow's therapies. He wants to have at it and get the heck out of there.

My boys, by the way, are doing well. It's not normal here, but it's a new normal. Joseph and David take care of the trash for me each night, and clean out the litter box. They don't, however, get my coffee ready for the a.m. Only Steve has the coffee touch. Right now the two of them are yelling insults at one another, with a laugh attached. A minute later David will be on Joseph's back. Anyone with boys, you know what I'm talking about. I have no idea how the Creator put those Y chromosome people together. They too are a mystery to me.

I finally figured out how to respond to comments! This is big news. This is fabulous news. I've conquered something on the computer! I hope to soon begin responding to your comments, which so bless my heart. If you don't know how to leave a comment, just create a google account and it will walk you through (you'll find that on the bottom of the comments section).

I hope you know by now that I am just awash in gratitude for all you do for me. Fixing my heat, cleaning my chimney, moving my bedrooms around, feeding me (body and soul), and a million other lovely and beautiful acts of kindness. You have been "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann

6 comments:

Meghan said...

My sister Micaela knows of your family well since she was Hannahs teacher. When she told us of the accident our hearts were broken with yours. We have been reading the blog, praying everyday for your family as a whole. We see Gods grace and mercy and his love and we see your faith and boldness through these wall posts.
I am Micaela's sister, I go to a young adults group at my church that has been praying for you. The other day you said beauty from ashes in one of your wall posts, 2 weeks ago that is what someone in my family specifically prayed for this situation and for your family. I cried when I read that because from your wall posts I see beauty from ashes constantly. My young adults groups has read your blog and has cried with you, although they do not know you they have felt the pain and sorrow.
We pray for you all the time....God has you and your family in his hands....he is your healer, protector, your joy, your vindicator, the lifter of your head, your strength and much much more!

Meghan

johandav said...

Sweet Meghan,

Thank you for your kind words and especially for knocking on heaven's door for our family. Please express my gratitude to your young adult group as well. We are all on this planet together to love one another, and I have surely felt the love! I give it back with great vigor.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann

Diana said...

Today I woke up a bit low and thought to myself, "I should read Lori Ann's blog today, that will lift my spirits." Then, I had to stop and smile to myself at the paradox of it all--that I, feeling a tad blue, should turn for compfort to my friend, Lori Ann, who has suffered such terrible trauma. And I thought, really and truly, that is the highest compliment I could pay her, that through the sharing of her thoughts and feelings in her darkest hour, she has brought such comfort and encouragement to so many. You bring a grin to my face and healing to my heart, even across all these miles. I know you know this, but I so wish I was there to bear some small portion of your burden. I trust my prayers are reaching heaven and that the Father will continue to pour out his blessings upon you, Steve and the children.
Loving you here in England,
Diana

Anonymous said...

Hi Loriann,
We continue to pray and cry with you and for you. I have come to the conclusion that tears truely are a language. We also rejoice with you!!!

Lord, in the depths of my sorrow,
I will lift my heart to yours.
You are the One who holds my tomorrow.

When waves of trouble threaten me,
I will reach my hands to yours.
You are the One who calms the sea.

When all that encompasses me seems to mock,
I will yield my mind to yours.
You are the One who establishes me - My Rock.

Love from afar,
Pastor Gordy, Sue and girls

johandav said...

My dear Petrillos,

Oh Diana, how I wish we were in the hallway at Our Savior's having a little chat about school! Thank you for your love across the ocean. Our God transends time, distance and calamity. Can't wait to see you again on your native soil. By then, with God's grace, many broken places will be healed...

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann

johandav said...

Dear Pastor Gordy, Sue and precious little ones,

The prayers of children are powerful, aren't they? I know your girls called on God, and probably with a matter-of-fact faith that children often display. Thank you for the love! Remember when mine were your kids ages, and you sat on our back deck at a birthday party? That was a lovely day. Love them with all your might - life is fragile.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann