Update 1/27/10 Day 80

Dear friends,

David didn't win his spelling bee, but he gave it the college try! What a kid. My camera broke (this seems to be a running theme in the Smith family- cameras, freezers. vacuum cleaners, legs, arms...) so I couldn't take a photo, but dear Melissa will send me one I can post for you. The esteemed Andrew Catalon, sports guy for channel 13, was the M.C., and a good time was had by all. Well, except for the agony as each child spelled their word, and you held your breath hopefully. Such bravery in our midst! Such heart! I love those OSL kids. I miss them so. In my former life, (pre November 8) I worked as an aide at Our Savior's Lutheran School. A visit to the first grade there is like sunshine in human form.

The term "aggressive" accurately describes Smitty's physical therapy today. The scar tissue in his knees needs to be stretched and released so he can get some range of motion there. Once he can bear weight, he's going to need his knees to, uh, bend. That's what joints do. Only they don't like to do it after almost 2 months in bed and lots of men with screwdrivers fooling around in those bones and ligaments. The poor guy was white as a sheet when the therapist put an ice pack on top of his knee to straighten it for about 5 minutes or so. This is work! He's doing a fine job! How hard do you push to get where you're going? I have no idea. A little bit more than you think you can, I would venture to guess. That's the way it usually seems, doesn't it? The muscles of the body and the soul both operate that way. Push em' a little further and you'll get strong. Might hurt a bit, though.

We had an hour between therapies, so Hercules requested a couple of slices of Union pizza for lunch. I ran out to get it, and got myself a Greek salad, which totally hit the spot. My family tries to keep it in the closet, but I'm not much of a pizza person. It's ok. I used to love Frankie and Johnnies pizza in Springfield, MA, but that had everything on it and I was young so I could pound it down at midnite and still feel okay in the morning. If I ate pizza like that now I'd wind up in the ER at Albany Med.

What a bunch of sweehearts in the DFG cell group that meets at my house every other Wednesday. I can't even begin to describe how graciously these folks have walked this rocky road with me! Tonite they brought the man a birthday cake. Kind Connie, who has 4 kids of her own, her dad living with her, and who helps take a dear blind friend of ours to therapy twice a week, managed to get a cake and make a pretend fixator to put on it. Homeric! What a troupe this is. I have no idea why they hang out with me. And that's not pretend modesty. This group of people is astounding. I'm honored to have them in my house.

I'm really, really tired tonite. The blog's a little shorter tonite for that reason. Gotta get the electric blanket cranked, and the oral hygiene taken care of. Then we trust the Great One for the shut eye. Last night, S. slept wonderfully. It's a little unpredictable right now, but surely better than the fixator days. I'll put on Jack Benny and fall asleep laughing. How great is that?

I thought about you, my dear cyber friends, a lot today. I've tried to tell you how much I appreciate you, but I feel so inadequate in expressing my gratitude. The encouragement of your comments, notes, emails and phone calls are comforting beyond my capacity to describe. The Great One knows each of you by name, and sees all the unseen acts of sacrifice and prayer you have given for my family's sake. I would have never made it up this hill without you. People are not only what make the world go round, but what make life worth living. Thanks a million - you are truly beyond compare.

The drama of midterms continues tomorrow with Joseph and chemistry (a less than cordial match!) We'll see how it all goes. We shall see.

Your petering out friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann