Sunday, October 23, 2022 8:00 PM

Hello, welcome to our day!

 The clouds of yesterday, lifted today. Larry greeted me with "I did my arm & leg exercises on my own last night!"

I thanked him very much for really trying. I read the beautiful message of love & encouragement to Larry from his cousin Laurie. It was very moving. The end of the message was from Aunt Rosie, who has had more than her share of extreme challenges since her strokes a while back. She has a wonderful perspective & Larry really appreciated her sharing it. She was so very encouraging & supportive.

  First thing we did, was work together on his oral care for 20 minutes. If it gets missed, he can't move his tongue to speak. We're even getting good at knowing how far we can go, so that he doesn't gag. He didn't get sick once today! Yeaaah!

   I brought in giant Lego, that we've used for fun activities at Luke 15 recovery house. Larry got into it right away & very methodically built a tower that was perfectly symmetrical, with the 4 colours. It was lovely to just be quiet & relaxed together, while he created his masterpiece. When he was done, he said he needed a nap, so I went for lunch. When I returned Linda was sitting beside a sleeping Larry holding his hand.  It turns out that I was likely going down one elevator while Linda was coming up the other! She told me that the nurse said, "Hey you're not Larry's wife!"  Larry has a lot of 'hand-holders', beyond his wife. It's quite lovely & tender to witness. It's what visitors do, both men & women, whether Larry is sleeping or not.   The 3 of us plaid 'Bubitsa' (Croatian Rummy). Larry was in his wheelchair, which makes it easier for him & us to play than when he's in bed. Then, we got the guitar out & Larry strummed it for a while.  When he'd had enough, he said he was done & needed to go back to bed. Linda left & while waiting for the transfer back to bed, Larry & I jived to 'Somewhere over the Rainbow', he even tried to twirl me. (Not so easy from a wheelchair.) The nurse said "Now?" I asked for 10 more minutes, taking advantage of the opportunity to dance. We waltzed to 'Unchained Melody'. It was so beautiful, as Larry held me close, with our cheeks together. Over the last 4 months, it quite possibly is the loveliest of special moments.

  I stayed for a bit longer, tidying up & giving Larry well deserved ice chips. I had to re-attach the arms of the wheelchair, as Larry told me how to take them off earlier, so that he could hold his guitar without them being in the way. All his years of working with wheelchairs makes it 2nd nature for him, whereas I can never even find the brake. I was demonstrating an exercise to Linda, while sitting in the chair & just about…. Well, it wouldn't have been pretty.

 When I was leaving, Larry said "Thank you for making today so wonderful!" I told him how happy I was for him, that he tried his best & do so much today.

 Thank you for your prayers, love & encouragement. xoxo