As we gear up for the holiday season and time seems to speed up exponentially….screech!! I have just applied the brakes to this thought. I need to stop right here and address a few ‘popcorn’ questions that just infiltrated my mind. First of all, why does it seem we can only get excited for and celebrate together during one month of the year? Secondly, does the majority of our society really agree this a holiday time? I have yet to experience the put-your-feet-up-and-do-nothing part of Christmas, but then perhaps I have a different idea of what a holiday should be. Okay, green light! …time seems to speed up exponentially, most of us, if we are honest, have uttered the phrase: “I feel like I need a vacation!” To just flee from all the busyness and chaos that seems to be all around and focus on the real point of this season.
Well, Steve and I had just this opportunity. The options are endless, but for two weeks you want a place that feels like home – away from home. So, the place we chose was the Stan Cassidy Center for Rehabilitation in Fredericton, NB. Aren’t you jealous?! We have been waiting to get in there for several months so we did not want to pass on this time frame. This was to be a time for Steve to recondition himself through extensive physio and a time to work on seating with new cushions to try, etc. The specialists are all very excited to see his progress and some new movement discovered as he works on retraining muscles and nerve patterns. It is very tiring, but the end results are worth it. It was also discovered through an MRI that Steve has a syrinx (fluid filled cyst) in his spinal cord around his injury level. This can cause weakness and other issues so we are now waiting to see a neurologist in Saint John. God opened up a cancellation time for him to have the MRI which was an answer to prayer so things could move along quickly. The idea of surgery is a little scary, but we know the Creator of Steve’s spinal cord is the same Physician that will have his hands over this whole situation.
There are a few apartments in the center that allows for patients to stay with their families if they do not require constant nursing care. TLS D (S stands for suite) is what we called home for our two week stint. It came complete with a kitchen, washer/dryer, television, and a Murphy bed. We were able to have some much needed time together – this included celebrating our 15th anniversary. We even made Christmas cookies. The place also came with its own snow removal service which blew the sidewalk outside our bedroom window clear at 4:18 am. Then an hour later cleared the parking lot. I guess we are not accustomed to city life. There are many stories and laughs to tell, but here are two of the most memorable.
While walking/rolling to the bank one day a lady came out to her car and remarked to me how fortunate Steve was he didn’t have to walk. (One needs to keep a straight face so not to offend with an outburst of laughter). Sometimes there are no words to be had – just laughter. We knew she would probably get half-way home and have one of those “Aha! “turned to “Oh dear!” moments. Another flurry of activity was after our anniversary dinner out. We decided we would go and finish off some Christmas shopping (well, Steve wanted to do mine). So we wandered the mall and met back at the entrance we came in. Steve was so proud with all these bags piled on his lap and tried desperately to keep everything on and hidden from my sight. We loaded up in the van and headed back to our cozy little abode. A few minutes into his unpacking and hiding, Steve came out with a dreary face and said he lost a bag somewhere. We checked the van. Nothing. So we bundled back up and headed back to the mall. I prayed all the way back as I knew he was so discouraged. We retraced our path to where we parked and just as we turned the corner, I spotted a lonely bag lying in the snow right where we had parked. I jumped out and grabbed it, without looking! He was so pleased. Upon inspection, he muttered something is broken. (I think I may have driven over it when we first left the spot. I broke my own gift before I even got it. Oops!) I suggested he go back into Wal-Mart and explain the situation – after all it is Christmas. He really thought it was a silly idea, but when he came back out, so was his smile and he was impressed that the customer service lady was so pleased to assist him. So our evening ended happily-ever-after.
On the 23rd we packed up and headed home and were greeted by a new snowblower that my husband so thoughtfully bought me for Christmas. Now I will be able to save my back and muscles to lug him around. We went straight to work unpacking and doing laundry. We were just finishing dinner when we heard the sound of many vehicle doors shutting. We were in no shape for company, but when I turned on the front lights we were greeted by some heavenly voices from a group of carollers. Some dear friends and family had been bringing joy to the nursing home up the road and thought they would surprise us before they went home. It was such a lovely ending to our holiday. What a wonderful way to be greeted back home!