A very special weekend!
> Dear Family and Friends,
> My daughter, Ashley, and I arrived Friday afternoon from Ft. Lauderdale to visit Mom and Skip. It was a special, special trip. When we arrived Skip was doing physical therapy. He was standing at the table, practicing standing up and sitting down. He was so excited to see us and told us so in a clear voice. We had not seen Skip since the week of his stroke; his progress is amazing. His attitude is humbling.
> After therapy, we asked Skip if he wanted to go on his first ride around the Preserve. Of course he adamantly said yes. My Mom (with help) transferred him to the car. We drove around and admired the wildflowers. The colors were so vibrant. Skip loved it. Later that evening, Jason, Tricia, Savanna and Hudson arrived. We had a wonderful stew dinner.
> On Saturday morning, Skip and I beat Jason and Ashley at dominoes. It was so close: our last hand we were one point apart. Skip still plays like the pro that he is and he adds as fast or faster than I do. After lunch, we asked Skip if he wanted to go on a walk. He was thrilled. Jason pushed Skip and Tricia pushed Hudson. We walked to the fitness center and had a lemonade. Then Skip wanted to go to the hacienda. We went into the courtyard at the hacienda and he asked to sit at the corner table where we often have lunch. Since it was after lunch we ordered chips and salsa and drinks. Skip ordered a smoothie. Everyone at the hacienda was so happy to see Skip and give him a big hug. He remembered everyone's name. Then we walked home after a perfect outing.
> On Sunday, Skip asked to go on a walk as soon as he finished breakfast. It was one of those signature days. The sky was deep blue, and the air fresh and invigorating. We walked up the hill to the west and admired the oak trees and flowers. The walks are so peaceful and restive. One has time to remember that each day is truly a gift.
> Earlier on Sunday Skip had told my Mom that it would be nice to eat lunch at the hacienda. So around lunchtime, we took another walk down to the hacienda. We sat at the same table. The day was still so beautiful. It was wonderful to sit, visit with family, and enjoy a great lunch. Skip had fish, rice and beans, and 2 smoothies. (I had the best ahi sandwich I have ever had.) Later Scott, Lisa, Lauren, Chelsea and Spencer came to visit. As you can see, Skip is surrounded by love.
> We had wonderful days on Monday and Tuesday as well. We played some more dominoes, and walked down to the pool for lunch (where Skip enjoyed watching Ashley go down the slide). Ashley did several speech therapy sessions with Skip using the prompts in his binder. She was a great teacher and he a model student. What a memory to treasure.
> I felt movement in Skip's right hand. When I was moving his fingers, he moved his ring and pinky finger down onto my hand. I also felt resistance in his right forearm as I raised his arm. I asked him to do this twice so that I was sure. Connections are being made in his brain. More will come each day.
> My Mom is doing well and getting more proficient at transferring Skip. She is organizing the therapists and taking him to doctor's appointments. She poached us a wonderful Monterey Bay salmon which Skip loved! Above all she is happy and thankful that Skip's attitude is positive and that his glass is always half full. On Tuesday when Skip woke up early, my Mom told him that he would have to wait a few minutes while she finished getting dressed. Skip replied, "That's okay. I'm just going to lie here and think about all the wonderful things there are to do." There is no more to say.
> Love to you all, Wendy Brooks
> My daughter, Ashley, and I arrived Friday afternoon from Ft. Lauderdale to visit Mom and Skip. It was a special, special trip. When we arrived Skip was doing physical therapy. He was standing at the table, practicing standing up and sitting down. He was so excited to see us and told us so in a clear voice. We had not seen Skip since the week of his stroke; his progress is amazing. His attitude is humbling.
> After therapy, we asked Skip if he wanted to go on his first ride around the Preserve. Of course he adamantly said yes. My Mom (with help) transferred him to the car. We drove around and admired the wildflowers. The colors were so vibrant. Skip loved it. Later that evening, Jason, Tricia, Savanna and Hudson arrived. We had a wonderful stew dinner.
> On Saturday morning, Skip and I beat Jason and Ashley at dominoes. It was so close: our last hand we were one point apart. Skip still plays like the pro that he is and he adds as fast or faster than I do. After lunch, we asked Skip if he wanted to go on a walk. He was thrilled. Jason pushed Skip and Tricia pushed Hudson. We walked to the fitness center and had a lemonade. Then Skip wanted to go to the hacienda. We went into the courtyard at the hacienda and he asked to sit at the corner table where we often have lunch. Since it was after lunch we ordered chips and salsa and drinks. Skip ordered a smoothie. Everyone at the hacienda was so happy to see Skip and give him a big hug. He remembered everyone's name. Then we walked home after a perfect outing.
> On Sunday, Skip asked to go on a walk as soon as he finished breakfast. It was one of those signature days. The sky was deep blue, and the air fresh and invigorating. We walked up the hill to the west and admired the oak trees and flowers. The walks are so peaceful and restive. One has time to remember that each day is truly a gift.
> Earlier on Sunday Skip had told my Mom that it would be nice to eat lunch at the hacienda. So around lunchtime, we took another walk down to the hacienda. We sat at the same table. The day was still so beautiful. It was wonderful to sit, visit with family, and enjoy a great lunch. Skip had fish, rice and beans, and 2 smoothies. (I had the best ahi sandwich I have ever had.) Later Scott, Lisa, Lauren, Chelsea and Spencer came to visit. As you can see, Skip is surrounded by love.
> We had wonderful days on Monday and Tuesday as well. We played some more dominoes, and walked down to the pool for lunch (where Skip enjoyed watching Ashley go down the slide). Ashley did several speech therapy sessions with Skip using the prompts in his binder. She was a great teacher and he a model student. What a memory to treasure.
> I felt movement in Skip's right hand. When I was moving his fingers, he moved his ring and pinky finger down onto my hand. I also felt resistance in his right forearm as I raised his arm. I asked him to do this twice so that I was sure. Connections are being made in his brain. More will come each day.
> My Mom is doing well and getting more proficient at transferring Skip. She is organizing the therapists and taking him to doctor's appointments. She poached us a wonderful Monterey Bay salmon which Skip loved! Above all she is happy and thankful that Skip's attitude is positive and that his glass is always half full. On Tuesday when Skip woke up early, my Mom told him that he would have to wait a few minutes while she finished getting dressed. Skip replied, "That's okay. I'm just going to lie here and think about all the wonderful things there are to do." There is no more to say.
> Love to you all, Wendy Brooks
posted by Jason Crist at 7:41 AM
1 Comments:
WENDY:
THANKS FOR SUCH A COMPLETE -- AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN -- DIARY OF SKIP'S CURRENT PROGRESS. I'M SO PLEASED TO HEAR HOW HE HAS MADE SO MUCH ADDITIONAL PROGRESS SINCE I SAW HIM JUST BEFORE HE LEFT DOMINICAN. MUST BE THE WONDERFUL CARE HE'S GETTING AT HOME.
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