Reflections

Sam is becoming more accustomed to his new routine - he was actually able to get naps in toward the end of the week and over the weekend.

Sam amazes us every day with his determination and strength. We thank God every day for giving him what he needs to make it through this time and going forward. We also look around and marvel at how everything in our lives has come together perfectly to allow us to support Sam. For example, we are very grateful that Rob lost his job so, with the addition of a generous severance package, he can focus on his family during this time. Gabe's dad, Kurt, is also unemployed, and is able to spend more time with Gabe during this time as well. God works in mysterious ways!

We thought about Gabe a lot during the planning stages of the surgery, and so we signed him up for Sibshop classes through a non-profit organization called Arc. The Sibshop classes are designed for siblings of kids with disabilities. Kids get together and make a craft, talk about what it's like to be the sibling of a child with a disability, and eat pizza. Gabe's been to two classes so far, and he really likes them.

What has been the most important, I feel, is that Gabe has been here every night, except Saturdays, to spend time with Sam. This has provided a structure for Gabe (and Sam) - and some kind of normalcy with regular family time.

Gabe knows that Sam's back is healing from surgery, and that he's working hard in therapy to improve his walking. On the other hand, it's hard for Gabe to accept why Thanksgiving might be different this year, and Christmas, because we need to accomodate Sam's needs.

Gabe has been spending every weekend at his dad's house and Rob and I have been taking turns spending nights at home, so we have to keep reassuring Gabe that this is temporary, and we'll all be together at home again soon.

It'll be two weeks post-surgery on Wednesday, although it feels like it's been longer! The good news is that we've been able to schedule a discharge date of Friday, Dec. 19th (Hope's birthday!), so we'll definitely be home for Christmas!

Thanks, as always, for your prayers and good wishes.