New school year

Schools about to start for the kids and it never ends for M and myself. Thank goodness, I'm still seeing lots of progress. When the children returned home after a trip with relatives, M spoke with our son. Initiation of conversation with more content than a polite social nicety, accurately keeping track of where the kids were, neither would have happened as recently as a week or two ago.

M also consistently follows his morning routine, a list of some seven items. He's much better able to control his reactions to unfortunate events (such as a vase falling off the entertainment center).

one of my favorite passages -

Philippians 4 (NIV)

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Working

Dh's taking on more responsibilities around the house and is more able to keep himself on track in those activities. Now mowing the back yard has been added to his list of things to do.

Before the accident, dh loved to read, but had little opportunity between 70 hour work weeks (he often worked 7 am - 7 pm M-F and another 8 hours on Saturday) and work at home. I'm so tickled that dh now makes our family of readers complete. Today he finished his first book in 15 months: Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven. Here's what's written on the back cover:

On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beaty and music. ... 90 Minutes in Heaven encourages those recovering from serious injuries and those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Much of the book chronicles Mr. Piper's struggles recovering from his injuries and learning to live life as a person changed inwardly and outwardly. Clearly this would appeal to dh and the story's appeal resonanted even more since much of it is set in places with which dh has a connection. He found, lying in the stacks of books we have around the house, the ideal one to entice him back into the hours of concentration required to read a book.

Signs of progress to praise

• has greater control when frustrated;
• exhibits more empathy;
• showing more reasoning power;
• has better day to day memory;
• initiating conversation with content greater than social niceties;
• initiating participation with others in household chores;
• also initiating some household chores independently, and
• an instance of independently returning to computer work after a break.

And I'm just starting to read a series of essays by Floyd Skloot, who suffered marked brain damage from a bout of viral encephalitis. He describes his struggles so simply and profoundly, I'll be reading In the Shadow of Memory to our children.