Homeward Bound

Well, exactly 2 weeks after Dad's first-ever ambulance ride, he is free and clear to go home. Can I get an Amen?!

His neurosurgeon feels confident that he can continue his recovery there without incident. Of course, this looks like taking it easy for quite some time. That includes 90 days before he can begin running and working out again. On one hand, that's a little bit of a bummer. On the other hand, he couldn't run to the mailbox right now if he was being chased by a tiger so, oh well.

Sounds like he'll spend a lot of time strolling around the duck pond gaining strength. Rest, rest, and more rest are on the agenda, so if you are wanting to bombard him with visits, you might call and see how the patient is feeling before you drop in (that is not his request, but his over-protective daughter is just looking out for him).

Even though he'll take it slow, he should be at full strength before we know it. Dad's confidence might need more of a boost than his actual physical strength, but that will come with time as well.

Not sure if you knew, but Dad entered the ICU on Mark's birthday and is coming home the day before mine. That is the only celebration either of us need this year and the best gift of all.

Speaking of homeward bound, I am back in Denver today. The 3 charter members of my fan club met me at the airport with balloons and a charmingly hand-colored "Welcome Home, Mommy!" sign. Jackson and Lilly had grown a ton and Brad looked great (soccer coach uniform and all). It is wonderful to be home and I am tolerating more whining and crazy antics than usual. Brad is definitely a contender for the Dad-of-the-Year award for managing the kids, fixing Lilly's hair, showing our house, and working (sort of) while I was gone. God provided a great supply-line of friends who blessed us with many meals and lots of babysitting. They have encouraged us beyond words and we are forever indebted.

Dad has promised to actually write on his own blog tomorrow (so stay tuned), but I want to leave you with this verse. It so captures what this whirlwind of subarachnoid hemorrhages has been about...not just that Dad was miraculously healed, but that God is the one who we bless for showing Himself to us amidst these tough times.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
I Peter 1:6-7