May 30, 2007

I had a nice long weekend. I took an extra day off because I have so much vacation time. You have been doing very well, we spent a great weekend together, mostly outside because the weather was beautiful. Sometimes a little too hot but for the most part comfortable. You ate well and was very alert and focused. Monday we had a barbecue at PopPop’s that Melissa put together. PopPop has not been feeling very well for quite some time and has been going for tests.

Tuesday, May 29th Pop Pop went to the emergency room of the hospital and they found he had pneumonia. They wanted to keep him in but he fought them and wanted to go home. He will be okay I am sure, he now has antibiotics and will get some rest.

Andrea started classes at Seton Hall, she is working towards completing her Masters. She will do well I am sure because she is very committed. She will be starting her sessions with you on June 25th if her schedule permits. I am very excited for you because she will do great things with you and be very consistent. If you were living closer to Carteret she could work with you all year long. Wouldn’t that be something!

Melissa will be traveling quite a bit in the near future. She will be taking trips at least once a month for the remainder of the year. She will be extending some of her time while in Atlanta so she can visit with Shanon, Mike and the kids.

Aun’t Ginny wants me to go to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion. This is a most difficult decision for me to make. I have never been away more than one night and so much has happened this past year and a half that makes me hesitate. I have to think about this long and hard and make arrangements for you to have one on one if I should go. I have to get more details as to how long and when she is thinking about going.

Dad is planning his golf trip to Tampa this fall with all the guys. He will be gone for 5 or 6 days.

May 24, 2007

It is your big day. I have my month end closing and I have to work until 5 p.m. The last few days you have been awesome... alert, happy, calm, and eating pureed meals very well in the afternoon.

Melissa has been working on updating the website and has done a great job. She has incorporated a beautiful song when you open it that is so appropriate for you.

Today you will be going to Piscataway High School to be part of the Drivers Ed classes. You will be leaving at 11 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. This is your first trip without me but you will be in good hands with Aubree and Heather. Matt will be at the high school when you get there and he will take good care of you. I wrote your story for all to hear and Matt will read it to the classes. You will also have your photo album with pictures from before and now. I am so proud of you Aaron, I hope everything goes well and you can help even one person to see the consequences of their actions when driving. Matt will be taking pictures for me. I thought it would be nice to get some shots of you with the kids.

I will be thinking about you the entire time and hoping and praying all goes well. It is time for me to start trusting others that they will be there for you and give you what you need.

It is now 3 p.m. and I heard from Matt and he said everything went very well. You were great and the high school kids seemed to be truly moved by your story and seeing you there. Matt said you could hear a pin drop that is how quiet it was in the classroom.

I am so proud of you Aaron! God Bless!

Five Years Ago Today

The day has finally arrived and it is 5 years since your accident. I have been reflecting on the past 5 years and trying to get all my thoughts and feelings down on paper to share with everyone. It is most difficult for me because I have always had a hard time expressing myself. When I think back to the different emotions one goes through during such a difficult time, they are endless.

When you open the website there is a poem called “Message to My Maker” written by my friend Liz from Aaron. She has a beautiful way with words and she has helped me to express my inner most thoughts in a poem called “Reflections”, which best describes the last 5 years.

May 20, 2007

I arrived early today because I have to leave at 2 pm. Amanda gets married today and we have the reception at 5. I don’t know how it will be for me because I will be seeing Brian (your best friend since you were 2) for the first time in 3 ½ years.

May 19, 2007

I will come around 1 pm and if the weather is nice we will go outside and sit on the patio. I will feed you around 3 or so and then Dad will come after Bernardsville. We keep praying you will be able to vocalize like you did before, but it has been a long time since we have heard any sounds.

Dad and I are having dinner with Liz and Pete tonight. They missed our 30th Anniversary party and want to get together. I am looking forward to seeing them again. It has been a long time.

May 18, 2007

I will not be coming to see you today. I have a lot of errands today and need some time to myself. I usually take Friday as my day because I have ½ days at work and it gives me time to do things. Matt will be coming and spend time with you this afternoon.

May 17, 2007

The past few days have been very quiet. You are alert and calm. We spend most of our time together on the patio. Looking forward to the sidewalk being done so we can walk the nature path walkway and sit under the pergola. I did not come to see you yesterday because Aun’t Ginny was down in Edison for a meeting and she came to spend time with you. It was nice for me and I thought I would go home and get a lot of things done. When I arrived we did not have power so I could do nothing.

My writing is complete for the 21st and will be entered in your journal for Monday. I think it says it all and will be a reminder of what was and what will be.

Your trip to Piscataway High School on the 24th has been approved by Dr. McCagg. You will be going in the afternoon and be part of the Driver’s Ed classes. Matt will be going and he will read your story to the classes and they will view your photos.

May 14, 2007

We had a great weekend together. The weather was beautiful and we spent all afternoon on the patio. Sunday was Mother’s Day and I came in the morning because I had to leave at 1:30 to go to brunch. I took you outside for a while and then I fed you lunch. You were great and in very good spirits. I enjoyed our time together so much. Nadia spent the rest of the afternoon with you and took you outside. It always makes me feel better knowing you are with someone.

I will be calling the high school today to cancel the meeting set for the 21st of May. That day marks your 5th anniversary of your accident and it will be difficult enough without going through with the meeting. They want to present you with a diploma but it will be too painful to go through.

I have been reflecting a lot on these past 5 years and have decided to write my thoughts in your journal to be posted for all to see.

May 11, 2007

Today is Grandma Jane’s birthday. Dad and I have to make plans to go to the cemetery and bring flowers for her. Sunday is Mother’s Day as well.

You continue to do well and the weather has been gorgeous, everyday we spend outside on the patio and enjoy the pondless waterfall. Matt asked if you can go on a field trip to Piscataway High School. He would like you to be a part of the Driver’s Ed classes and meet the kids and let them hear all about you. Aubree will be going as well and will read your story to them and bring your album with pictures. Hopefully it will help even one person to see what the consequences can be when you are driving. Dr. McCagg will have to clear your trip but you have been doing so well and I think it will be great for you.

May 9, 2007

When I arrived at the center you were sleeping, you woke up when I spoke to you and stayed awake the rest of the afternoon. It was a beautiful day, 80 degrees and we spent most of the time on the patio. We then went inside and you ate so well for me and drank apple juice. I put your electric shaver in your right hand and guided you to shave your face. At first you resisted but then you calmed down and you put the shaver to your chin and tried so hard to move it around. We will keep trying, I believe you can do it.

PopPop called me at home, he had a scare at 4 in the morning. He had severe pains in his stomach and the chills and could not breathe. I told him to call one of us to come and be with him and not stay by himself. I worry about him so much, especially now Grandma is gone and he is alone. The doctor did blood work and checked his pacemaker and everything seems good. They are thinking it is a virus and bladder infection. We are going to have to keep a closer watch on him but it is hard for Mommy because I am far away and often times I am with you. Thankfully Aun’t Ginny is only 10 minutes away and Uncle Fred is 10 minutes as well

May 8, 2007

I called the center around 10:30am to find out how you were and they said you had a temp earlier of 101. Fortunately, they were able to get it under control and you were fine. I took you outside and we enjoyed the patio and I fed you.

May 7, 2007

The past few days have been terrific with you. We have enjoyed the outside patio and you have been alert and responsive. Melissa got a new car, a Ford Escape. It is really nice and hopefully she will get better gas mileage than the Equinox. Dad had a cordizone injection in his elbow from tendenitis. It is very painful but it helps tremendously.

May, 2007

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007... I got a txt message from Andrea that she made it into the Masters program at Seton Hall. She was very excited and I could not wait to hear all about it. At 4:30 my phone rings and it was Andrea telling me she was on her way and I shouldn’t move. She came to visit and you were still up and she got to spend quality time with you. You have been doing awesome and your smile and facial expressions told it all.

Andrea visited for several hours and then she prayed with you. She is a very spiritual person and has helped me to get through some rough times. After our visit we went to dinner to celebrate her acceptance in Seton Hall.

What a blessed day it was for all of us.

Today is May 3rd... You continue to thrive and when I look at you Aaron, I feel you are processing. There is something different about you and I truly believe you are comprehending and try very hard to communicate.

You are now off of the medications Dr. Medina recommended. I do not see a difference in your alert level which is a good thing. I believe the Ridlin has helped you a great deal. We will have to wait and see if Dr. McCagg decides to order something in addition to the Ridlin.