Happy Birthday Cheryl Dee! I won’t tell people how old you are I’ll just give them the hint that your oldest daughter is collecting social security and lives on a diet of bran and ginko. Leaving this last week to go to Las Vegas for work was torture, easily the longest week of my life. It’s amazing how your perception of time changes as you get older (or in Susan’s case just “old”). Remember when you were a kid and the longest week of the year was the week before Christmas because of all the hype and excitement, or the week before Bear Lake because all good vacations, per the handbook on motherhood, must be used as blackmail to ensure a week worth of menial labor in order to have a spotless house. As I got older the weeks on “the mission” were the culprit, I swore oft that they would never end, and then there were the weeks of Basic Training which were eerily similar to mission weeks only your rear was being chewed up and handed to you 24/7. This last week out did them all. In hind sight I wish that I wouldn’t have gone but bills have to be paid. While flying back to SLC I was feeling sorry for myself that I had to be away from the hospital and I had to check myself. I started thinking about how long Charlie’s week had been and how many long weeks he has ahead of him. Charlie is trying so hard to get better and progress will be slow. I was a little discouraged that when I saw him after a week his status was basically unchanged. There is certain reality that comes with brain injuries like Charlie’s and that is the longer he goes w/o improvement the slower any future progress will be. So in order to maintain sanity I’m officially throwing time out the window. I’m no longer concerned about how long this has been going on or how long it will. My only concern is taking care of my little buddy, keeping him calm, making sure he’s not hurting and providing the best environment for him to heal. We will still watch and hope for small improvements but I’ve stopped caring about how long it will take.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Take This Week And Shove It. :-)
Happy Birthday Cheryl Dee! I won’t tell people how old you are I’ll just give them the hint that your oldest daughter is collecting social security and lives on a diet of bran and ginko. Leaving this last week to go to Las Vegas for work was torture, easily the longest week of my life. It’s amazing how your perception of time changes as you get older (or in Susan’s case just “old”). Remember when you were a kid and the longest week of the year was the week before Christmas because of all the hype and excitement, or the week before Bear Lake because all good vacations, per the handbook on motherhood, must be used as blackmail to ensure a week worth of menial labor in order to have a spotless house. As I got older the weeks on “the mission” were the culprit, I swore oft that they would never end, and then there were the weeks of Basic Training which were eerily similar to mission weeks only your rear was being chewed up and handed to you 24/7. This last week out did them all. In hind sight I wish that I wouldn’t have gone but bills have to be paid. While flying back to SLC I was feeling sorry for myself that I had to be away from the hospital and I had to check myself. I started thinking about how long Charlie’s week had been and how many long weeks he has ahead of him. Charlie is trying so hard to get better and progress will be slow. I was a little discouraged that when I saw him after a week his status was basically unchanged. There is certain reality that comes with brain injuries like Charlie’s and that is the longer he goes w/o improvement the slower any future progress will be. So in order to maintain sanity I’m officially throwing time out the window. I’m no longer concerned about how long this has been going on or how long it will. My only concern is taking care of my little buddy, keeping him calm, making sure he’s not hurting and providing the best environment for him to heal. We will still watch and hope for small improvements but I’ve stopped caring about how long it will take.
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17 comments:
any improvements are better than none. and hey look how far he came down in such short of a time...his body needs to repair itself from what it went through and look how far he has come up in four weeks...it's amazing...only time will tell...and he is still here with you and that is what truely matters...the time you have to spend with him.
As I was up last nite sneezing my membranes to death, I watched the clock and was going to write and also tell Cheryl Dee...Happy Birthday. When the clock hit 3 a.m, I came to the computer and "nothing" (never happens to me).
So, Rob, thanks for the resounding affirmation. I know LV stinks as a RR man.. Ken hated it too.
Cheryl, my brothers and my mom and I have admired you for many years. They both respect you tremendously. My family has mentioned a million times what an incredible classy lady you are. You took a really tough situation and made it "golden". Your kids love you more than life and so do your grandkids. I don't think there is a better testament to a life than that. But, even with that, you still keep becoming more fabulous, caring, resourceful and productive.
My mother always wished I had become you. But, that is not going to happen.. (administration, not my thing!). She tells us constantly how wonderful and loyal your kids are and honestly, she says it enough.. I tend to feel guilty (goll.. where did that characteristic come from.. Edman-Guilt... who'd a thunkit).
Well, Cheryl, you are the best and you have the best family in the universe. I know you are proud of them and they.. you. Have a great year and hope the best is still yet to come.
Charlie, I think you have given your G-ma Cheryl the best gift of all and that is a family who loves each other unconditionally and will go to wall protecting and helping them, Tha is true Christianity..
Love you, Bless you and Happy Birthday.. Jill B
There just isn't any way to express the pain and hurt that you must feel. It is immense, I can only imagine. It seems that you are flying high one day and then you are dealt a hand that brings the world crashing around your feet.
I can imagine it is similar to Moroni as watched his people being destroyed by the Lamonites and there was nothing he could do but love them and watch. I am sure that he felt very helpless and dependent on the Lord. And yet, his experiences have affected so many people through his words.
No, it doesn't seem fair that Charlie has to go through all that he is or that it is taking so long for improvements to happen. However, his family is there and are as Moroni was, very strong and able. I have faith in you as well as in little Charlie.
Love you,
Stefanie
Do you have a specific reason you would like us to fast tomorrow in regards to you and Charlie?
Rob: I know we've never nor will we ever meet as I don't live in SLC or the Utah area, but I gotta tell ya Charlie is a fighter.Even if he's gonna face significant disabilities which right now is the big unknown, God will be with him each step of his life Your sweet boy has his special mission. Thank you for being his and Britty's dad and caring so much. Praying for you i n Montana!
My fav scripture EVER!
D&C 123:17
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us CHEERFULLY do all things that lie in our power; and then may we STAND STILL, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God and for His arm to be revealed.
Love you guys!
If there were more parents like you what a wonderful thing that would be. Like everyone else has said Charlie is a fighter. I don't know any of you but I can tell by the blog you're a very close family. Charlie & Britt are very lucky to have such a good Mommy & Daddy. Calming himself without meds that sounds great. Praying for you all in Missouri
I am one of Charlie biggest fans! I have never met you or him, but he is one special guy. (We have a mutual friend.) I check up on him all the time and I pray even more for him and you and your family. My little boy sometimes comes in while I am checking up on your Charlie and asks me why I am crying. I just tell him that Charlie is a sick little guy, so now my little boy prayers for him too. We will always keep him and you in our thoughts and prayers.......
You have a lot of people praying for you, a lot you know and many you don't. We don't know each other but found your website through the Herrin twins website. I have rallied a large group of people in PA to pray for you and we do, everyday, many times a day.
Keep fighting for Charlie. He is a gift from God, and he has touched many, many people. Way to go Charlie!!!!
Still praying in PA
It is so wonderful to read all the comments from so many different locations. Coop, you have managed in your own small way to unite so many people and to give so many a reason to pray, reflect and look for the meaning in life.
You are blessing to not only your awesome parents and family, but a whole legion of well-wishers.. Thank you, Jill B
Do your best and stay positive. Everything else will fall into place...it always does.
B
Do your best and stay positive. Everything else will fall into place...it always does.
B
Do your best and stay positive. Everything else will fall into place...it always does.
B
I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face! I continue to be amazed at the love that is sent your way so many times a day. It is incredible to read about so many people who are praying for all of you . Charlie must be a very valiant spirit! You have an amazing family that supports you in every way. I love your Grandma Cheryl. She is so strong and would do anything for you. She adores her family and I know that you are all working together to make the best of a very hard situation. I pray for angel so continue to attend you!
yet more tears.....Charlie,thank you for always helping me keep perspective. That was a beautiful post, Rob. It can't be said enough about how amazing you guys are. Love and prayers, and hope to kick this influenza so I can see you soon!
Rob and Angel - I always check on little Coop's (or Charlie or JackJack) progress, but never have posted. But I just wanted you to know that you've figured out what took me a long time to get; you have been given the gift of time. The gift of time to spend with him that you would not have used a month ago. It may not seem like it, but I really believe it is a gift. I would not trade one minute I sat in that hospital holding a hand, watching sleep, listening to every breath. I would not have spent that kind of time doing those kinds of things with a healthy child. Time is truly a gift. You are never far from my thoughts and always in my prayers. I stand in awe of you. Your 'little buddy' has amazing parents.
Lisa Peterson
Well said Rob. You and Ang are amazing.
I wanted to let you know that prayers are being offered for precious Charlie by the Christensen Family in Antioch, California.
(((Hugs)))
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