From a Mother's heart

As Peggy told you last night, yesterday was an awesome day for her. She and Tim went to the barn and she was able to see, touch, and smell Al. I think that was a very necessary step for her to feel better about everything. In spite of all she has been through, she has been very concerned about how Al was doing. (As I understand it, he's getting some intensive training about learning not to leave out steps and I'm sure he's wondering what that's all about.) I wasn't at the barn yesterday, but I know that everyone there was very relieved to see Peg up and about. I can't imagine what they must have gone through when they watch her fall, watched her continue to be unconscious, and watch that helicopter lift off with her not knowing whether she was going to be alright or not. Just like it was important for Peggy to see, touch and smell Al, it was also important for the people who were there with her when this happened to see, touch, and talk to Peggy. (One of the things I am most thankful for other than my beautiful daughter's life, is that in all of this she has kept her quirky sense of humor.) I know for each of them it was an affirmation that bad things can happen and we can and do survive.
Many of you have asked how I'm doing. Well, I'm okay. There are still times when I am overwhelmed with what could have been and I guess that's just being a Mom. I am, of course, concerned about what the future holds and how long it will take for Peggy's memory to return to normal or near normal. However, Peggy's brain injury is the third one that I have dealt with in my life. When I was seven, my dad was injured in a car accident and he never left the hospital. He lived, but it wasn't much of a life. He spent 40+ years in a VA hospital. That accident changed my life forever. In November, 2007, some of you will remember that my husband's mother was attacked while watering her flowers on her patio and suffered severe brain trauma. She was 89 years old. I spent two months with her at Baylor hospital in Dallas which has one of the top three brain trauma centers in the country. I learned a lot. Today, Den's Mom is 91 years old and lives in an assisted living center--not a nursing home. She has some severe language problems (the words are there but she can't get them out) and continues to take a lot of medication related to her injuries, but she is alive, she knows what's going on in the world, and she, too, has retained her sense of humor. So, how am I feeling? I have seen the devastation that a brain injury can cause, and I have seen the miraculous recovery that someone with unbelievable damage can have. I am feeling very optimistic about how Peggy is going to do. I'm smart enough to know, however, that it won't be an overnight process--it's going to take some time. And, does that keep my from worrying? No. She is my baby. She will always be my baby. When she hurts, I hurt. If I could take every bit of this away from her and have it be me instead, I would do it in a heartbeat. So, again, I'm doing okay. I love having some time with Elijah because we get so little of it, I love being here in Portland where I can breathe without feeling like I just breathed in scalded air (it's been so hot in Texas this summer), and I love being able to help Tim and Peggy. I know it's hard for them to have someone always under foot, but for now, I'm glad I can do it.
I also need to take this time to thank all the people in Texas who are keeping my life there going while I am here. For my team at the office, there are no words to adequately express how much it means to me that you have taken over and are keeping things going while I am here. You are the greatest! For my church family, thank you so much for all the prayers, the calls, the e-mails, and the support. I love all of you. (Okay a word to my Sunday School class--don't think we are finished with Chronicles. I already have the next lesson prepared and as soon as I get back, we get back to work on figuring out what in the world it's all about.) For my son, Barrett, thank you for taking care of Sebastian. I know he's trying to figure out what in the world is going on in his life. Also thanks to my grandsons Clay and Shane who are also helping with the Sebastian project. And to my friends Debbie and Charlie and Bill and Gina and Judy, I love you guys. Enough, enough, enough! Linda