Long and Great Weekend in Atlanta

Ok, Peaches & Herb, I see you: Reunited and it feels so good! 

Despite the absolute hot mess of chaos at BWI on Saturday morning, we made it to Atlanta. We arrived more than the 3 hours in advance of our flight as BWI recommended, but we did not make our 9:50 am flight. We did, however, make a 3:50 pm flight after finally clearing security at 10:45 am. Thankfully, every adult - and most kids too - (with the exception of one cranky grandma who lost it) we encountered in the long & winding line through every crack and crevice of BWI was patient and kind with one another. Way to go, Maryland! Proud of my fellow Marylanders. 

When we finally made landed in Atlanta, we went straight to see David. Just the four of us being together in his room was bliss and my heart was full. Sunday brought a full day together of playing games, hanging out, opening cards & packages, watching the Nats beat the Cubs again, watching Duke lose to UConn (ok, that part wasn’t fun - except the being together time), and eating Mexican food from a 100% gluten free restaurant around the same table. This is what we have to look forward to. 

I was so amazed to see how many cards David has received from all of you! Thank you! I stood by his bed so I could see what he sees when he’s in it - wow. It was so powerful to see each of the fronts of the cards and realize that it was someone sending him love and strength. Every single card he’s received is up on the wall: they curve around from the window, all the way around to the wall in front of him. Keep em coming! What a great way to wake up in the morning or go to sleep at night with all of that love in front of you. 

On Monday, David was given the green light by his surgeon to resume his full PT suite of activities - he’s fully healed (again - this time for good). He definitely lost a fair amount of muscle and strength so that will be the name of the game for the next few weeks especially.  

Later in the day when David was in session and I was working from the family rec room, I saw a dad and his 3 or 4 year old who had tired of the blocks and other toys that Shepherd has on hand for families. At the time, both Matthew and Colin were back in our apartment, planning to wander the 2 blocks down on their own a bit later so the four of us could have dinner together and hang out a bit. The little kid was not having it anymore and you could just tell the dad was about done, so I grabbed a piece of construction paper and tried to make a paper airplane for him. It was a terrible, terrible airplane that only crashed and didn’t fly - but it was enough to divert his attention for a few minutes so his dad could transition him a bit. And I just kept thinking - how impossibly harder would this be if our kids were 10 years younger? They wouldn’t understand what was happening and would have a much harder time with my being in Atlanta. And so many other harder and harder things. I hope and pray that those families have half the village we do - gratitude, gratitude! 

On Monday, I happened on a graduation from the program for 2 of David’s floor mates. It was very moving to hear how far the two individuals came with their rehab and to listen to the tributes their PT, OT, case management and other team members gave them as they left inpatient rehab. I found myself wondering what David’s team will say about his journey (other than the chocolate that we keep well-stocked with the help of our friends for anyone who wanders near or by his room) - and I can’t wait for that moment to occur. 

We made it back to Maryland on Tuesday - it’s good to be home but hard to come back without David. I’ll be back down there in a couple of weeks and I’m already counting down the days.

Thanks to each of you for your love, your support, your cards, and prayers. 

Love, Erika