We're enjoying a nice evening in front of Oceans Thirteen with a couple of VO pizzas. Amy made the trek to Boston today to pick Tim up and bring him home for a long weekend. Before returning they did some Christmas shopping at the Galleria Cambridge Side, at Tim's request. It's been a long week with minimum communication between us, but I'm sure we'll get caught up tomorrow and I can make a progress report later this weekend..
I had a lot of opportunities to be out and about in the community this week, and was continuously amazed by how many people asked "how's Tim?" I'll never get tired of answering that question and am humbled by how many people are keeping tabs on Tim and his progress and praying and rooting for his recovery. Following is one great example.
On Tuesday, I had some of our neighbors from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy http://www.marian.org/ join me for a Christmas season lunch at the Inn. It was a business lunch, to thank them for their contribution to the unique character of Stockbridge and, of course, in appreciation of the visitors - "pilgrims" - they draw to town. Carol, Fr. Michael and Fr. Victor showed up, and during the meal presented me with two gifts for Tim - an olive wood "comfort cross" and a copper magnetic bracelet, both blessed by Fr. Victor - and the news that they, and many others in a world wide prayer chain, had been praying for Tim since hearing about the accident this summer. Tonight, Tim opened both gifts, putting on the bracelet and declaring that he liked the feel of the cross, clearly appreciative of the thought. Also in the mail bag from this week were nice cards from the O'Malleys and Aunt Merrilyn, both of whom have been steady communicators, with just the right words.
These types of gestures and stories come to us in many forms and from people with a variety of beliefs and faith backgrounds, and I can't help but feel that we've ended up in the middle of something quite powerful - a community of people around the world pulling in unison for one young man, whom most have never met. I am energized by it, and although it might sound hokey, I guess I'm having one of those experiences where my faith in humanity is fortified. I hope that you all can feel that, too.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
hey tim!! i know we just talked but i haven't looked at your site in awhile and i wanted to see what was up..your hotel looks sick. it was so good seeing you at katie's party and talking to you so candidly and openly about everything. you are so positive and strong, etc., and that is so good to see. anyway i can't wait to come home and i hope to see you at some point...remember when you picked me up when you got your permit? why did that not surprise me, hahah. anyway have you seen into the wild? if not DONT GO SEE IT wait till i get home because i want to see it again. alright more studying to do ... but see you soon!
jess
jess
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Happy 19th!
As I watch the Pats dismantle another otherwise worthy opponent, I'll get you all caught up on what's been going on with not-as-young-as-yesterday Tim. He's on the way back to Boston with Amy after quietly celebrating his 19th birthday with us here in the Berkshires.
I met Tim on Thursday night as he was sitting down for a late dinner, munching on a Chicken Caesar Wrap. His day had included a short lunchtime visit from Grandma and Grandpa in between his therapy sessions and a late afternoon nap! He seems to be very comfortable in his surroundings on Tudor Wharf. For three days, he had been managing quite well on his own. "Managing" away from the hospital staff and family means making sure he takes his medications on time (a complicated schedule involving 6 or 7 meds to be taken half a dozen times each day), getting himself ready for the Spaulding van, being responsible for his personal hygiene (including taking showers on his own - transferring to a bench for that purpose) and meals. Beyond that, he is scheduling his outpatient therapy sessions into January, tracking his wheelchair shipment and making plans to take driving lessons. A personal FES unit is part of his home-therapy program, and he uses it to stimulate muscle activity in his triceps.
He has a goal in mind - he wants to be able to walk around the house, with a walker, when he comes home for Christmas. That means that his therapists need to give him permission to walk independently - without a "spotter" walking alongside. I don't see any reason why that won't happen as Tim has been setting and meeting goals since July 13th. We're looking forward to it.
I joined him for breakfast on Friday and then picked him up at the end of the day for a ride home. I learned that he sleeps a lot, as his therapy sessions still tire him out. He's enjoying the pace of his life right now, reading and watching shows that he finds on Discovery and the Science channels (not to mention Comedy Central). I think he's also looking forward to the end of finals, so that he can spend some time with his hard working college friends in Boston. We had a pleasant ride down the Pike, just talking. Amy had delicious pulled pork sandwiches waiting upon our arrival. Tim thanked her by standing up with his walker and taking a lap around the first floor - a beautiful thing.
It was a pretty uneventful weekend, lots of simply "hanging around" while Amy, Jancy and I went about our jobs, chores, etc. On Saturday night, we invited the Berkshire's newest residents - Aunt Carolann and cousin Allott - to join us for a birthday dinner celebration at Koi. Few will be surprised to learn that Tim ordered and enjoyed boneless spare ribs and General Tso's chicken!
We're feeling comfortable enough to leave Tim home alone for short periods of time (please note I said "we" - Tim has no problem with it) and we all seem to be settling in to an easy home life. His departure today was delayed a bit by a surprise visit from cousin Sam, who was home for Christmas from UTI in Sacramento. He brought along John and Tim and a good time was had by all.
I met Tim on Thursday night as he was sitting down for a late dinner, munching on a Chicken Caesar Wrap. His day had included a short lunchtime visit from Grandma and Grandpa in between his therapy sessions and a late afternoon nap! He seems to be very comfortable in his surroundings on Tudor Wharf. For three days, he had been managing quite well on his own. "Managing" away from the hospital staff and family means making sure he takes his medications on time (a complicated schedule involving 6 or 7 meds to be taken half a dozen times each day), getting himself ready for the Spaulding van, being responsible for his personal hygiene (including taking showers on his own - transferring to a bench for that purpose) and meals. Beyond that, he is scheduling his outpatient therapy sessions into January, tracking his wheelchair shipment and making plans to take driving lessons. A personal FES unit is part of his home-therapy program, and he uses it to stimulate muscle activity in his triceps.
He has a goal in mind - he wants to be able to walk around the house, with a walker, when he comes home for Christmas. That means that his therapists need to give him permission to walk independently - without a "spotter" walking alongside. I don't see any reason why that won't happen as Tim has been setting and meeting goals since July 13th. We're looking forward to it.
I joined him for breakfast on Friday and then picked him up at the end of the day for a ride home. I learned that he sleeps a lot, as his therapy sessions still tire him out. He's enjoying the pace of his life right now, reading and watching shows that he finds on Discovery and the Science channels (not to mention Comedy Central). I think he's also looking forward to the end of finals, so that he can spend some time with his hard working college friends in Boston. We had a pleasant ride down the Pike, just talking. Amy had delicious pulled pork sandwiches waiting upon our arrival. Tim thanked her by standing up with his walker and taking a lap around the first floor - a beautiful thing.
It was a pretty uneventful weekend, lots of simply "hanging around" while Amy, Jancy and I went about our jobs, chores, etc. On Saturday night, we invited the Berkshire's newest residents - Aunt Carolann and cousin Allott - to join us for a birthday dinner celebration at Koi. Few will be surprised to learn that Tim ordered and enjoyed boneless spare ribs and General Tso's chicken!
We're feeling comfortable enough to leave Tim home alone for short periods of time (please note I said "we" - Tim has no problem with it) and we all seem to be settling in to an easy home life. His departure today was delayed a bit by a surprise visit from cousin Sam, who was home for Christmas from UTI in Sacramento. He brought along John and Tim and a good time was had by all.
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