Update 2/5/10 Day 89

Dear friends,

Houston, we have lift off. What a day. All your comments, emails and phone calls made for a big ole' hootin and holleran' heard loud and clear in the Meadow Lane mansion. Thanks for sharing the joy! Thanks even more for sharing the sorrows... Let's keep the momentum going to get back the whole kit n' kaboodle. "The road is long, with many a winding turn..." We'll never retreat, there's so much to gain. Isn't it so dang excellent to have some encouragement along the way. Man, I'm grateful!


As you already know, the reason for this celebratory spirit is that Smitty is walking! OK, he's not doing a marathon anytime soon, but he's on two feet and he pretty much hasn't stopped grinning since Dr. Bagchi told him to get out of that blasted chair. His leg muscles are very sore, kind of like ours would be if we worked out really hard after not doing so for a long time. When you consider he hasn't used his right leg muscles at all since November 8, and his left leg muscles only for hopping, you can understand the pain. We did some physical therapy at home today, and he's such a trooper as I push on that leg to get a little more bend in the right knee. He stood up at the sink this afternoon. Can I tell you it was bizarre seeing him there in the upright position. Over the next few weeks his legs will get stronger, and one of these days the walker will most likely be replaced by a cane. Another hurdle is driving. Send up some prayers to the Great One on that front. The physical reaction time is one thing; the psychological readiness post trauma is another.


Miss Rejoice and her big brother went to Columbia tonite to watch "Columbia Idol". Joseph had made the initial cut, but was eliminated in the next round. It's good to see them both going out for a fun night with some of their school chums. I'm on pick up detail, so I'm blogging early. Feeling a little groggy after a taco dinner. And I think I've expended more energy this week on sky high emotions (finding Dan Lane, Steve walking), that I'm ready for one of those lazy Friday evenings with an old movie. Tonite we're finishing "For Me and My Gal" with Judy Garland and Gene Kelly (in his first starring role).


As for the road ahead, well, there's still plenty to cover. More healing, and of course, the whole criminal aspect of the thing. When I can, I will address this part of it more clearly with you. These things are very delicate. One thing is for sure: there's no turning back the clock. Sad for us, with the permanence of some of Steve and Hannah's injuries. But so sad for the driver, whose life is permanently altered too. That's a whole other arm of this drama. We continue to take it one day at a time.


The Great One knows all the ins and outs. He's prepared already for what's ahead. Now that we can look back a little ways, we can see what we couldn't see on November 8. He's had the whole thing under control from day 1. Day 89 is no different. Day 365 will be well in hand as well. Remind me of that, will you friends? You know how topsy turvey I can be. I need your help. But you already know that.


By the way, that's the plan at this point. I'll write the blog until the Great One tells me it's time to stop. But what I'm thinking the plan entails is 365 days. Dr. Rosati told me in the first week at Albany Med "It'll take a year to get your footing back". Only the Great One knows when our "footing" will return. And I know it will never be the same as before the accident. But perhaps we'll have enough perspective then to see some of the streams of good that came out of "the day of our disaster". Let's face it, there are trickles already. In the end, the whole thing will be an honorarium to all of you. You, my precious, faithful, wonderful friends, are the beating heart of this whole story. You are the reason I write every day. You are the very voices and arms of God. I would have been a basket case had it not been for all of you. So hang with me as we ascend the mountain. I think the view will be remarkable.

"Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always,
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure though art..."

I bless the High King of Heaven. He's my treasure. And I thank him for the true earthly treasures: Family and friends like all of you.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann

PS: Check out the hymn "Be Thou My Vision". It's one of my favorites, and I sing it often.