Joy and Gratitude

I am very fortunate to be a happy person who experiences many moments of joy and gratitude every day. However, I feel there are some moments that are so complex and so complete that there should be another set of words for it.  This July 4th we went to play disc golf at a local park. This was the view from the first hole that triggered one of those indescribable moments of joy and gratitude that fill you up completely.

    Not exactly an exciting picture, but in the distance is the beautiful view of the capitol and in the foreground a fun family activity occurring with a vibrant and healthy Phillip. Which brought to mind right away the difference between seeing the capitol now and seeing it two years ago nearly everyday for 6 months on the way to hospital visits or Dr. and therapy appointments....and that difference is what I am overflowed with joy and gratitude about. 
      Two years ago (June 3) was Phillip's horrendous accident (severe brain injury and shattered leg), and no one knew to what extent he would recover. It was a wait and see and take each day(or sometimes part of each day) one at a time.During this time, just being able to appreciate that he was stable or a small improvement had occurred, helped keep hope for the future alive. Over the next 6 months, I was extremely grateful for  the excellent care and support he/we received from very dedicated and caring therapists and Dr.s from a multitude of health fields. 
     Over the last two years there have been countless  moments of joy and gratitude, of which  here are a few:
    While he was in ICU (I did not take any pictures during this time), just being alive after the initial brain and leg surgery to a steady progress of fewer tubes and medicine, to responding to stimuli, to being more aware, and towards the very end...when he actually spoke real words and was able to eat were some of the high points.
        By the July 4th weekend he was out of ICU and receiving in-patient therapy. He was on the verge of getting his short-term memory back and was able to enjoy a visit from his family and dogs.

No cast on leg, there is a metal rod from knee to ankle ...no weight-bearing on that leg for about 5 months.

    He moved in with us once he was an out-patient.Besides his speech/cognitive and physical therapy appointments, for 6 weeks he would have daily treatments for a bone infection.We celebrated the end of each week at the nearby Dunkin Donuts :-)

Eventually, the skull bone that was removed was replaced....no more helmet!!

Participation in family get-togethers  resumed.

     Being able to move back into his own house and take care of his house, yard, and dogs  was a huge step!

    Progress from speech therapy and doing daily word exercises to reading the directions and playing one of Justin's complicated games!

    Just the fact that he was capable of returning back to the same type of work as before the accident was amazing!!! Heading off to an interview less than 24 hours after a minor leg surgery.

He kept that spunk of his going for the whole time it took to land a job!

    And now to cap it all off; He has successfully passed the 6 months trial period at a state job. Which means he is a certified state employee (job security) with opportunities for advancement if he wants !!!! 

Celebrating being a certified state employee...TGIF is a fitting place for that :-)

Oh yes, a very joyous and grateful time this is!