Sunday August 14, 2005

Sunday August 14, 2005 Zack slept well after he got some Trazadone last night. Rita (Scott’s Mom) came to be with him while I went to church with the rest of the family. Rita took him for a ride outside in his wheelchair and talked to him about Hilton Head (our favorite vacation spot) and his family. With prompting he said the names of his brother and sisters and that he loved them. Zack ate all his breakfast and even had communion when someone came by from Southeast Christian Church. He was finishing his lunch when I arrived. Nick and Trey (two of his friends from school) were already there and Zack seemed to really enjoy their company. When he finished his lunch and stood up he gave me a hug and then walked towards his friends. We thought that he was going to hug them when he playfully leaned over and smacked Trey…not hard but just like he use to do when goofing around. Amanda (weekend Occupational therapist) stopped by to give Zack some therapy in his room. The goal was to get him to use his right hand more. They worked a pattern puzzle and he did pretty well.
We had many visitors today, I think all his friends stopped by. Mrs. Funderberg, middle school assistant principal at Christian Academy (CAL), stopped by with her family to see Zack. She asked him if he remembered her and he nodded yes. She also volunteered to help Zack get ready to go back to school when the time comes. We got a visit from admissions with the news that we were getting to move to a new model room. Yes we have moved again but only next door in room 420. It is a much bigger room in yellow with a small refrigerator and we are delighted. The timing was perfect because we had plenty of kids to help with the move so we are all settled in again. I asked a group of them to entertain Zack while we were cleaning out closets and taking down all his friend’s pictures. Rick Thompson (just graduated from CAL) took the task to heart, put a C.D. on and began dancing. Zack was quite amused and it sounded like a party in his room. Dana (our nurse today) came by to check things out. She saw Zack smiling and said that was the most she had seen Zack interact with people. I had to keep reminding them we were in a hospital and keep it down but it was great to see his friend enjoying himself or herself with Zack. Once we got settled in our new room Zack started to look very tired and I had to ask everyone to leave. I got him in bed for a nap but he slept only ten minutes and was ready to get back up. It was time for dinner and he devoured his food.
As he sat in his wheelchair after dinner, looking at baseball cards, my friend Donna was talking with him. He got a little emotional for really no reason and Donna was asking him what was wrong. She asked him if he was just in a bad mood and I guess she asked him too many times because Zack said, “quit asking me about my *! @#*+ mood”. I’ll let you fill in the blank. We have hit a new phase that I had been warned about. People with brain injuries do not have the filter that we learn as a child and can say inappropriate comments and frequently start cussing. The staff has told me that it happens to all of them; even the sweet little old ladies that never cussed in their life end up sounding like sailors. Needless to say we were all shocked and I told Zack I know it is hard and he can’t help it but I would like him to set an example for other people and not use those bad words. He nodded yes but I know he won’t be able to stop himself. I will apologize for him now but also explain that this is just another phase and signals that he is progressing. I get time to check the postings on the website and am excited to see that there are people praying for Zack in New Zealand. No wonder Zack seemed to have such a great day today. We got as many smiles today as tears…thank you for your prayers. Isn’t God wonderful? I sit here and think about the songs we sang in church this morning and the words come to me, “so blessed I can’t contain it, So much I have to give it away”. It is true, we are blessed and I want to share it with everyone. As I sat between my girls in church, a solo was sung that talked about our trials not being easy but God will see us through the storm. Logan looked at me knowing I might cry and patted my hand and rubbed my arm to comfort me. I am amazed at how compassionate she has become and then I look at Kyle and she is wiping away tears as she listens to the words that tell us to “Hold on to the hand that comforts me. He will carry me”. Like all siblings they fight and aggravated Zack but they love him. They are acutely aware of how this has impacted our family. They are changed because of it and in a positive way. I only hope that Zack’s experience will reach many teenagers who are making decisions today that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Choices…good and bad…make up the story of our lives. Immediate gratification without thinking of the consequences get us all in trouble. But we have a loving Father who forgives us when we make bad choices and wants to give us a joy that passes all understanding. Be still and listen. Pray for understanding and wisdom. Pray that for Zack. That he will understand why he has to go through this now and have the wisdom to teach others, through his testimony of Gods forgiveness and grace, how seemingly simple choices can change so many lives. Please continue to pray for Scott for his job at home is less gratifying.

P.S. I have been asked to pass a message along from our neighbor Kim Getz who is organizing meals for the family now that the kids are back in school. If you can help, please call Kim 387-2750 or Candy Slade 552-2505