Graduation Day

It's been a while since my last post and there are a lot of updates to share.

I realized when Lauren woke up that this blog not only served as a way to update all of you but it also gave me an outlet to express the full range of emotions that went through each of our hearts. Once Lauren was awake all of those emotions turned into joy and gratitude. And the words that I once typed on this keyboard were instead shared in conversation with her.

Yesterday (7.13.10) marked the 1 month anniversary of the car accident and it is unbelievable how far we have come. The fact that we were unsure if Lauren would live to unsure of her quality of life to preparing for her homecoming THIS FRIDAY is nothing, nothing short of a miracle.

Lauren was transferred to Dodd Rehab Center about a week after she woke up from the coma. After she arrived it was as if someone pressed fast forward on her recovery. Very quickly they had her up and walking, replaced her trach with a smaller one making it possible for her to talk and eat solid food. Soon that too was removed and all that remained as evidence of the accident is her feeding tube that will remain in her belly until it heals and her neck brace.

The Physical Therapists say that Lauren is their star patient--determined and strong she breezed through rehab. Not to say that she is ready to run a marathon tomorrow. She still moves slowly and tires quickly but we share the doctors belief that being home surrounded by family and especially her children will make her recovery go that much faster.

My heart and soul is filled with such gratitude. I am thankful that Lauren is alive and I am incredibly thankful for the outpouring of love and support from all of our friends and family.

As some of you may know this September will mark the tenth year since we lost my nephew Spencer. There is still a sting that is alive and well in each of our hearts. Each year brings another what if, another what would have been. While we have come to a place where we can laugh and reminisce there is still that moment that hits you and you realize that he is really gone. That moment hurts like nothing else.

There is little in life that you can control. I'll be honest and say that while I know that...I don't think I have truly embraced it and I'm not sure anyone truly does. The best that we can do it to put good in the world, give the best of ourselves and have faith--faith that in the end everything will be okay--faith that if it isn't okay you will have the strength to live with the outcome.

In Lauren's hospital room we bought a book that we asked every visitor to sign. These words of encouragement and love served as an inspiration to Lauren and even though she is going home she still needs your support while she continues her recovery. Pain is still a reality, the uncomfortable neck brace (which I have suggested she bejewel-lol) and the fact that walking up a flight of stairs is a big feat. Visits, phone calls, Facebook wall posts are all encouraged and recommended.

Thank you for praying, for believing and for supporting each of us.

The next post will be brought to you by a surprise writer...three guesses as to who it is ;)

Love,

Us