Update 1/20/10 Day 73

Dear friends,

If only I had my camera today at the eye clinic. The contraptions on Stephen's head made him look like something out of a Jerry Lewis Nutty Professor movie. I actually laughed at the poor man, there in his fixator, stuck in the chair. He really did look like a robot between the scaffolding on his leg and the goofy looking metal circles around his eyes. Good thing the husband has an excellent sense of humor, with his life's companion chuckling while he is poked and prodded yet again. We learned Steve has astigmatism on his cornea, and most likely his brain was able to compensate for it prior to the concussion. So the blurriness is probably caused by something that was already there (since there was no trauma to the eye), but was previously dealt with by the brain. He sees a "cornea specialist" in a few weeks, and then he'll be getting glasses. How awesome is the human body, that corneas are complex enough to merit a specialty?

Since my freezer broke last week, it was the vacuum cleaner's turn today. Must everything happen at once? Still, lets keep perspective. Remember Haiti, Loriann. Remember Haiti.

Today's exciting outing was to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. First I went to the dreaded Walmart (remember the Drano story?), but there was an hour wait and we had to get to Sunnyview on time. So, not trusting Walmart to get done in a timely fashion, I branched out. I even got a new rear window washer blade since the other one hasn't worked in a month. I was delighted to find I get a free car wash with my oil change (I was only 1,000 miles over), and believe me when I tell you the van is standing in the need.

As many of you already know, tomorrow is the Fixator Freedom Fiesta for all of us cyber pals. Please celebrate with us! Say an extra thank you to the Great One tomorrow for all He has done! Go out with your favorite friend for ice cream. Crack your glasses together. Blow up a balloon. Marvelous Mike and Dear Karen gave us a gift card to Applebee's so we can celebrate. Thank you so much friends! We are hoping to go out depending on how Stephen is feeling. If he's groggy our tired we'll do it another day. Or order from Applebees Carside Pick Up. At any rate, thanks so much for all the prayers for him all along this bumpy road. His likelihood of infection was so high, and a wall of protection surrounded him, protecting his limbs. He arrives for ambulatory surgery at 8:45 am (pre op) and the procedure will commence at 10:15. The operation should take about an hour, and recovery about 90 minutes. At the end he'll wear a special brace, and the fixator will be history. I could cry thinking about it. Some of you remember him in the SICU, unconscious, with fixators on both legs. God is faithful to pull us up Recovery Mountain. This is just one more landmark along the way. How bout a Hallelujah!

And how about this: Steve shaved standing up today, first time. No little mirror at the table, but the big boy sink. He sported a grin from ear to ear. What a guy.

My heart is full of the blessings of progress, which is simply victory in increments. I do believe that Hannah will gain, and Stephen will gain, and my precious boys will gain too. I have already found the gem of joy in the mine of sorrow, and I know there are many more to uncover. I am reminded today of the countless people who have been the hands and feet of the One and Only for us. I've said it before, but it's been too long so I say it again; We can never pay it back, but my life's ambition is to have the privilege of paying it forward.

Don't forget to take a minute for a little cyber fiesta. If you feel inclined, let me know what you did. I'm asking the Great One to give you some wonderful moments tomorrow. Mine will come when the pins are out.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings, as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They shall walk, and not grow faint..."

He'll run friends. So will you!

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann