New Discoveries

Jordan and Brianna came home from the hospital Friday evening. We met the home care nurse, Julie, soon after they'd settled in, and found her to be very warm and reassuring, much nicer than we'd imagined. A week of discussions and decisions, of papers being handed to us that we didn't really want to read, or think about, or sign, had made us apprehensive, even leery, of change. But with our feet setupon this new path, we see that we can walk it, hand in hand, determined to do everything in our power that contributes to Jordan's happiness and comfort. We understand that having kind nurses visit us at home to do blood draws, adjust meds, problem solve, and to contact the docs for us is going to be a great help toward that end, after all. For instance, when he developped a fever late Saturday, it was obvious that it was very taxing for Jordan to have to return to the hospital just past midnight, following a good day and night spent at home enjoying the visits of two of his brothers and their families. Once there, the fever vanished on its own, but he was kept overnight for observation, nevertheless. A nap was the first order of business when we welcomed a very tired Jordan home again early Sunday afternoon. Upon waking from a short rest, he and Brianna went for their first turn about the neighborhood in a wheelchair borrowed from a local service club. Then he watched a little of The Count of Monte Cristo, before resorting to the peace and quiet of their own cozy quarters for the rest of the day.

On Friday, we discovered we were sharing our 1/5 acre with a devoted mallard and her nest full of eggs. Not even the chain saw and leaf blower employed by the man we'd engaged to tame our overgrown honeysuckle vine and misshapen boxwoods, induced her to desert her nestlings. Both young and old watched her with great interest from the large picture window of our living room all the next day, as the downy ducklings eagerly emerged from their shells. Hoping not to alarm her, we tried to keep some distance from the duck family as bread and water were set out for them. We pictured loving eyes looking down from the windows of heaven upon our family, similarly leaving little secret gifts within easy reach, intended for our sustenance and blessing.

Don't duck! Missy captures this family photo.
Aunt Penny braids dandelion garlands for Brooklyn and Lilly.

Our Sunday is sweetened by a surprise "heart attack."