Sunday, November 13, 2022, 8:43 PM

Hello, welcome to our day!

 Today was amazing! Larry promised yesterday that he'd try harder today, and harder he did! I walked into his room, with him lighting up with a smile and a big "Hi, how are you?" and it was uphill from there, (except without needing to push the donkey.) Larry had finished his lunch & I set up his tablet to view Mass with Fr. Rob Galea (Australia). He had the head set on & did not realize how loud he was speaking but was giving all the responses & prayers quite loudly.

 We've really bonded with the 'patient' across from Larry, & her Mom & sister, whom we see each day. I may have mentioned that the sister is very familiar with my cousin who lives in the same small-town, N. of Kamloops. Larry has joined in the banter, like a ping-pong game across the room. Lisa is just a bit older than our boys. She loves us & we love her to pieces. She is suffering terrible neurological complications that have not yet been diagnosed in the past month that she's been in hospital. On Tuesday, yet another test will be done… a PET scan, so please pray for her, that whatever is found is manageable & at best curable.  Lisa is like a fly on the wall & it's for sure she has suffered no hearing impairment, as she hears every whisper from our side of the room. Today she said, "I heard you two fight yesterday, and it's good to know that you're human!" Most of the time she says we're cute as an 'old couple' still in love. She sure has found a special place in our hearts & prayers. Her terrific sense of humour shines, in spite of her suffering. She asks me to pray with her & its lovely to rub her back or stroke her hair as I do. It is a privilege that she accepts the love I have to give her.

  'The race was on!' As Larry was wheeling himself to the elevator, we had to wait for someone to bring him a mask, & I'm so glad we did, as while we were waiting, Lisa came out of the elevator, back from a stroll with her family. I challenged them to a race & they were both game. I saw the 'old Larry' enthusiasm that's been missing for some time. They high fived and then were off. Larry, not having right peripheral vision, ran into a wall & 'Missy' won the race. So much yelling & cheering, which is definitely not a familiar happening. Lisa's mom took the pic of them 'high 5ing'. They gave me permission to post it. Please click on 'Pics' to see. That was the ticket for Larry: competitive & fun enthusiasm. I hope this was a glimpse into his future of more intense rehab. Larry got so many cheers from all of his caregivers & others as he wheeled himself down the hallway, with that something special in the way he carried himself. 

  We spent time outside in the serenity garden where I used to go, when Larry was first in ICU. He was a bit chilly but didn't complain. He called a longtime friend & colleague from GF Strong & had a great phone visit. A young woman was escorted by a nurse to the garden. It brought back memories of the terrible sadness felt by family of loved ones in ICU with death imminent. Of course, Larry remembers nothing from the trauma he suffered then, but it is still very clear to me.

 Back at the room, we played a game with our neighbors, singing songs which included the random words we picked. We were all quite terrible. It gave the room a refreshing spirit of fun. 

 I am so happy & grateful that the day we fought for was a stellar day today! A very new kind of enthusiasm, which made a huge difference. I thanked Larry so much for giving this day his all & bringing about such joy & hope. He agreed!   God bless you! Hope if, or whenever you're in the dumps, that you can fight to reach that higher place of peace & joy. The choice to love makes all the difference!  xoxo