Friday, Januray 4th, 2008 (My brother Gary's b'day)

David ate breakfast like it was his last meal, and then he ate lunch the same way. His sergeant came by from Travis AFB and brought him a vanilla shake. Wow, that only happens in the Air Force.

Richard, from Recreational Therapy, worked with David on reading, and David struggled to see some of the words. Then they played a fun basketball game, which worked on David’s eye hand coordination, manual dexterity, and as an excuse to test David’s memory with lots of sports questions.

Se came by late today to grab David for PT, and even though he had been dozing he was ready to go. He wheeled himself out of the room and down to the gym without waiting for anybody. He walked farther than usual with his ‘cool’ walker, and looked good doing it. His gait was smoother, steadier and faster. As he blew past people in the hallway they were stunned.

The Recreational Therapy staff put on their weekly ‘Friday Free Food and Friends Feast’ tonight. It was KFC night, and David chowed down on the chicken (cut into smaller chunks) the mashed potatoes and biscuits. He finished off the last half of his vanilla shake (courtesy of his sergeant), and ate a cookie or two. He seems to have his appetite back! After we ate we watched Spiderman I, (in the same lunchroom/multipurpose room that we ate in) and David watched almost all of it before he said that he was ready to go back to his room and sleep. Now I don’t know if Spiderman lives or dies!

I think that we have mentioned that David talks in a monotone voice, and it's kind of quiet, but a really cool thing happened tonight when David was talking to the nurses. He said something that sounded so much like our 'old' David that it really hit me. There was more inflection in his voice, he used some words that he hasn’t used lately, and it was louder and more authoritative. It gave me hope that our 'old' David is still lurking inside, just waiting to come out.

We have had some problems with the ‘household’ (sprinklers, water leaks, pool problems, dogs), and our neighbors, friends and family have been awesome in responding to our needs in our time of trial. Thanks guys ‘n gals, we really appreciate the support on the home front. I know that God has put it on your hearts to help, and as hard as it is for my pride to accept help sometimes, I truly appreciate it, and thank you. I think that this is a growing time for me and I pray that God is working in your hearts as well. I know that serving our Lord, even in the lowest ways, (cleaning a pool, caring for a dog, watching a house) has rich rewards, and I pray for God’s blessings on all of you.

I close with much love for you all, and a content heart, knowing that all things are working out for His glory.

Steve