We received wonderful news just before Christmas this year. Mom's medical team decided to let her come home!!!! They decided she could come home the Saturday before Christmas, so I went and got her and brought her home. YAY! We were nervous about all mobility related issues, hoping she could do the walking and step climbing required, but everything went smoothly. It was hard for her to walk, but she did what she needed to do. Of course Heavenly Father helped mostly, but it was amazing to see how her physical strength increased when she needed it most.
Last Christmas we weren't home because of dad's stroke. Our wish this year was to be home together for Christmas, and we got exactly what we wanted. It wasn't a holiday for gifts, but the holiday was more special than any presents could have been. Recently I read something that said, a sign of growing up is when all the things you want for Christmas aren't THINGS anymore. This pretty much sums up how we feel this year. One day mom was sitting up in bed and we were visiting when she started to tear up. She said that this is the best holiday she can remember having. She said that she can't remember a time when she wanted something so badly and got it. So....our Christmas wishes came true this year. We got exactly what we wanted, and we know that we were very blessed and feel extremely appreciative and happy for our blessings! Our hearts are full for sure.....full of gratitude and love.
Being home has been fun. Mom's homecoming couldn't have happened at a better time. I've had days off from work because of the holidays and so I've been able to help out at home. I do the cooking and the cleaning and help mom to do whatever she needs. It's been a blessing to help out. I kid mom a lot though, telling her she needs to hurry and get better so she can have a turn with the dishes, since according to my niece Amber, it's one of grandma's favorite things to do. And it definitely isn't one of my favorites! :) I've gained a new appreciation for paper cups and plates that's for sure. :) It's nice being able to help out though. My friends often say that my parents are lucky to have me, but I'm really the lucky one. It's so much fun just being with them. Every extra day is just such a blessing, even if I get to do dishes. :)
Just after we arrived home, dad arrived home from Idaho too. He had been staying with my sister Julie in Bountiful and then the last stretch of his care took place in Idaho with my brother Craig and his family. He is SO glad to be home and he shows it in so many ways. It's been cute to see how excited he has been to be with mom. He's always covering her up with blankets, and he's always giving her kisses and hugs, or showing her in some way that he loves her. He really missed mom and she really missed him while mom was at rehab. When they were apart, mom would tell me all the time that it was probably the hardest thing she had to go through, being separated for so long from dad and not being able to see him everyday. They always go and do everything together so this was a hard adjustment. They are making up for lost time now though. They are loving being home together!
Well, it is 2013! We had a fun celebration to ring in the new year. We watched movies and watched the televised "ball" drop. Dad rushed to give mom a kiss and our neighbors set off fireworks that we could see through our windows. I'm excited for the new year. So far it's a year with no mistakes in it. A year to start anew and hopefully another blessed year that I can spend with mom and dad. We sure are blessed to be together. That's my wish for this year...to be with them. I really feel blessed to be a part of their lives. They are good eggs....that's for sure. I hope you all have a great new year as well. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!
