Rain
We woke in the early hours this morning to greet our friend, Robert, who arrived on a red-eye from California. He had last seen James in the neurological intensive care unit, intubated and unresponsive. What a joy to see them hug one another.
James had a fully booked day with his visiting nurse service and therapists--we were housebound waiting for their appointments. James and Robert napped after lunch and the day stretched out to late afternoon. The nurse finally arrived after being delayed for two hours. Robert was taking a shower and when he emerged, he had with him a found bottle of toddler bubbles and attempted to blow through the bent wand in James's direction. James was sitting on the couch with the visiting nurse taking notes on her laptop across from him. There was an awkward moment in which Robert had failed several times to produce any bubbles at all--blowing hard over and over to no avail--and James paused, saying to the nurse, "He's from out of town."
We all laughed.
Barbara Campisi joined us as we had planned to take a walk to the park. We talked, ate cherries that Robert had carefully unpacked from his suitcase for us, and then, decided to prepare ourselves for a stroll.
I opened the front door and it had started to sprinkle. We decided to forge ahead. There was a strange black cloud in the sky. It looked bruised and ominous, coiling around the sides and back into itself. The sky crackled and sheets of water poured down. It was a bit silly--taking a man with a walker and poor balance for a walk in a deluge torn with lightening. Imogen and Robert were gleeful, laughing and throwing a small-sized air-filled emoji ball around in the rain--through the roiling torrents that quickly filled the gutters. We made it as far as James's favorite coffee shop CUP and decided to take shelter there.
Imogen and Robert continue to play outside on the sidewalk--ever so joyous in a way that only Robert is able to inspire. Robert pulled off his shirt, rung it out, and placed it back on. James, Barbara and I watched them from inside, listening to the 80s music chosen by the baristas. It seemed very right to see Imogen play with Robert--the perpetual teenager at heart.
We decided to walk toward the park since it seemed to lighten a bit but it was only a short respite. By the time we were on the corner across from the park, a second tremendous wave of water fell. We made our way home, completely soaked. I had my arm around James's waist but he was steady and focused. I think it was good for him to be outside in the whirl of the storm. Once we turned the corner to our street, the rain stopped completely, similar to shutting off a faucet.
Safely upstairs, laughing and drying off, the smartphones belonging to Robert and Barbara simultaneously screamed a deafening alarm--a flood warning.
James was exhausted by it all but clearly, happy he made it home safely and conquered the elements.
James is peacefully sleeping in bed now. He had a good session with the physical therapist, showing improvement in his balance. Robert insisted on doing a particular exercise with James (Imogen too) in which one sits with a leg in the air and sky writes the entire alphabet in capital letters with one's foot not touching the ground. It was probably the first time the PT had an entire family complete an exercise.
We may attempt to take James to the pool tomorrow to kick around since Robert is here and the weather will be hot. I have to purchase a special bandage to seal his PEG. I would like to do this with Robert--extra support--to see if it is possible. I read the pros and cons of swimming with a PEG online and I see no reason why James cannot float around, supervised.
Imogen will be leaving for California on Sunday morning. James and I will be on our own. Time to get serious and focused about his therapy! We will miss Imogen--it is the first time she will be away from us for a significant amount of time. Is there an equivalent for "break a leg" with regard to luck in traveling?
James and I do have a must-see event coming up at McNally Jackson in Williamsburg on July 10 at 7:00 p.m.--our dear friend Dan Kaufman will be launching his book, hot off the presses: The Fall of Wisconsin. It is our goal to attend the book reading and discussion! I have started the book this evening, reading it aloud to James. Fantastic and gut-wrenching straight from the start! Hope to see those in the neighborhood there!
James had a fully booked day with his visiting nurse service and therapists--we were housebound waiting for their appointments. James and Robert napped after lunch and the day stretched out to late afternoon. The nurse finally arrived after being delayed for two hours. Robert was taking a shower and when he emerged, he had with him a found bottle of toddler bubbles and attempted to blow through the bent wand in James's direction. James was sitting on the couch with the visiting nurse taking notes on her laptop across from him. There was an awkward moment in which Robert had failed several times to produce any bubbles at all--blowing hard over and over to no avail--and James paused, saying to the nurse, "He's from out of town."
We all laughed.
Barbara Campisi joined us as we had planned to take a walk to the park. We talked, ate cherries that Robert had carefully unpacked from his suitcase for us, and then, decided to prepare ourselves for a stroll.
I opened the front door and it had started to sprinkle. We decided to forge ahead. There was a strange black cloud in the sky. It looked bruised and ominous, coiling around the sides and back into itself. The sky crackled and sheets of water poured down. It was a bit silly--taking a man with a walker and poor balance for a walk in a deluge torn with lightening. Imogen and Robert were gleeful, laughing and throwing a small-sized air-filled emoji ball around in the rain--through the roiling torrents that quickly filled the gutters. We made it as far as James's favorite coffee shop CUP and decided to take shelter there.
Imogen and Robert continue to play outside on the sidewalk--ever so joyous in a way that only Robert is able to inspire. Robert pulled off his shirt, rung it out, and placed it back on. James, Barbara and I watched them from inside, listening to the 80s music chosen by the baristas. It seemed very right to see Imogen play with Robert--the perpetual teenager at heart.
We decided to walk toward the park since it seemed to lighten a bit but it was only a short respite. By the time we were on the corner across from the park, a second tremendous wave of water fell. We made our way home, completely soaked. I had my arm around James's waist but he was steady and focused. I think it was good for him to be outside in the whirl of the storm. Once we turned the corner to our street, the rain stopped completely, similar to shutting off a faucet.
Safely upstairs, laughing and drying off, the smartphones belonging to Robert and Barbara simultaneously screamed a deafening alarm--a flood warning.
James was exhausted by it all but clearly, happy he made it home safely and conquered the elements.
James is peacefully sleeping in bed now. He had a good session with the physical therapist, showing improvement in his balance. Robert insisted on doing a particular exercise with James (Imogen too) in which one sits with a leg in the air and sky writes the entire alphabet in capital letters with one's foot not touching the ground. It was probably the first time the PT had an entire family complete an exercise.
We may attempt to take James to the pool tomorrow to kick around since Robert is here and the weather will be hot. I have to purchase a special bandage to seal his PEG. I would like to do this with Robert--extra support--to see if it is possible. I read the pros and cons of swimming with a PEG online and I see no reason why James cannot float around, supervised.
Imogen will be leaving for California on Sunday morning. James and I will be on our own. Time to get serious and focused about his therapy! We will miss Imogen--it is the first time she will be away from us for a significant amount of time. Is there an equivalent for "break a leg" with regard to luck in traveling?
James and I do have a must-see event coming up at McNally Jackson in Williamsburg on July 10 at 7:00 p.m.--our dear friend Dan Kaufman will be launching his book, hot off the presses: The Fall of Wisconsin. It is our goal to attend the book reading and discussion! I have started the book this evening, reading it aloud to James. Fantastic and gut-wrenching straight from the start! Hope to see those in the neighborhood there!
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