There was always something or someone to give thanks to God for. We were paying attention to the wonders happening around us. Even when it felt too heavy to carry on, our spirits were lifted up constantly by an event or a smile, by a memory or a word of hope, by someone else' story or a prayer.
I recalled an evening when I felt very overwhelmed. I grabbed the bible from the table and rushed outside to sit at the front porch bench. I didn’t want anyone to see me crying. I had to remain strong. Sighing - I repeated several times that I needed Him to speak to me. God was too silent and I just needed to hear from Him. Anything. I needed Him now. Then I opened the bible randomly to any page. As I was getting ready to read I thought of the many times I had explained to others that we can’t just expect to randomly open the bible as if it’s magic to look for God to speak to us. That’s just not how it works. Well, at this moment I was going to try anything. As I read the gospel of John 2:1-11, which is the story of the Wedding of Cana – for a moment in my heart it affirmed that this manner of trying to get God’s message was just nonsense. What did the story of the wedding had to do with this moment or with our situation? Here I was desperately asking for His Word and all I got was the story of Jesus turning water into the best wine at the wedding, which happened to be Jesus’ first miracle and His Mother Mary had interceded for the couple and their families. I stood in silence crying wondering if God had heard me. All of a sudden, like a whisper - a thought waved in my heart … “You have not seen anything yet, I have left the best for last”. Just like the best wine had been served at the end of the celebration in Cana, God was not done. I thought of the grapes being pressed and the process of producing the best wine. I embraced the bible. He knows when our hearts are in need and ready to receive His Word. His Word always comforts us and strengthens us - no matter how we get it.
At this point, David became interested in learning about his finances. He had been working since he was 16 years old and had always been a great administrator and managed his finances very well. We went over his bank accounts, his business and his investments. We called his financial advisor Woody in Miami who explained everything in detail. David seemed satisfied and never spoke about it again.
Uncle Tom with Kimberly We received the sad news that Uncle Tom had died.
I remembered that as a kid, I liked to see him smile. His face would transform into a kids’ face and you couldn’t resist but smile back. We prayed for him and thanked God for his life.
Truly life is but a breath. (Psalm 39:5)
I remembered that as a kid, I liked to see him smile. His face would transform into a kids’ face and you couldn’t resist but smile back. We prayed for him and thanked God for his life.
Truly life is but a breath. (Psalm 39:5)
Cousin Cristy from Puerto Rico came to visit and we had a great time. It was a very special visit.
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For the second time, David’s right arm twitched for seconds. He was calm and didn’t loose consciousness. We weren’t sure what this meant but I recorded it to mention it to his doctor. As it twitched, I pictured all these connections happening in his brain.
We enrolled in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes at church to freshen up on doctrines, beliefs, practices and history of the Catholic Church. This would be David’s first time in a classroom setting. He enjoyed it very much. We took notes, asked questions, and later discussed what we had learned.
We enrolled in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes at church to freshen up on doctrines, beliefs, practices and history of the Catholic Church. This would be David’s first time in a classroom setting. He enjoyed it very much. We took notes, asked questions, and later discussed what we had learned.
At this time we were reading, “Let the Fire Fall” by Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. Everything about this book was so appropriate and relevant. Several statements stayed in my heart and we reflected on them constantly.
David expressed interest in working again. He was set on wanting to work at Wal-Mart and getting stocks. He would practice welcoming as a greeter by waving the hand and saying “Hi” as much as he could.
- “But healing is not to be cherished in itself. It points toward the Lord Jesus, and then to the Lord's plan for our time". (Page 129)
- “We know that the experience of enduring illness can build character. We know that suffering has a redemptive quality to it". (Page 142)
- “I believe that the healing we see all over the world signifies a new urgency in the Lord’s work in the world. This is a time of visitation”. (Page 144).
David expressed interest in working again. He was set on wanting to work at Wal-Mart and getting stocks. He would practice welcoming as a greeter by waving the hand and saying “Hi” as much as he could.
By October, Dr. Langford ordered boots for David and that meant there would be no more casts and that physical therapy would start soon. He also checked the right elbow for calcifications but reported everything was in perfect condition and advised we continue with the stretching exercises. We said goodbye to the wonderful staff who we worked with for over 6 months.
One afternoon reading in front of the lake, David shared that the first thing he would like to do would be to dance. David continued to move the right leg more regularly.
My mother was coming to visit us and David was getting ready to begin his second round of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. We were also planning on going to Miami in December. It had been a year since we had left and we were looking forward to going back and visit.
Jorge’s cousin Cita came from Puerto Rico and as always we ate, laughed, sang and danced the night away at home and at William and Pili’s.
My mother was coming to visit us and David was getting ready to begin his second round of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. We were also planning on going to Miami in December. It had been a year since we had left and we were looking forward to going back and visit.
Jorge’s cousin Cita came from Puerto Rico and as always we ate, laughed, sang and danced the night away at home and at William and Pili’s.
David started PT at Lucern Rehab and worked hard at taking steps and using the standing frame.
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Ana Carolina had been working as a nanny in Miami. The family was going on vacation to New York. Ana would fly with them and drive back from New York to Miami. Before she left, she invited us to Sea World and we had a great time.
We met Shaka’s son Jerome who had also suffered a brain injury. He encouraged David to be patient through the process, that all would come back in time and to trust God who is the Healer. I recalled from the movie “Facing the Giants” the phrase … "God will send the rain - we first have to prepare the field".
 Jerome |  |
Georgie came to visit with his wife Shanna, babies Ariana and Giovanni and his friend Mike. He brought David an electric wheelchair.
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We knew David was in a new phase. He was reacting to situations and expressing interest in other areas that certainly demonstrated his awareness and new attentiveness to his surroundings. David was now scratching his ears and his sense of smell was intact. As soon as I would turn on the heater, he would alert me that it smelled like something was burning.
We pondered on how great Lord’s love for us was as we walked in faith. I had this image of God embracing the universe and Jesus Christ right in the middle, which spoke to my heart constantly.
We pondered on how great Lord’s love for us was as we walked in faith. I had this image of God embracing the universe and Jesus Christ right in the middle, which spoke to my heart constantly.
From New York, David’s friend Liza G. called and told him that he was on her mind all the time and that she believed God was using him in a powerful way for others. Her call brought a lot of joy and we thank God for His presence in our friends' lives.
One Friday night we went to see “Salvador Live” at downtown Orlando. Salvador and David had been friends for many years. Break-dancing together was almost like a salutation and watching Heps performed was a big treat for David.
Fernando, David & Salvador
 Barber, David, Heps & Fernando |  David & Heps |
David’s first trip to the beach was amazing. We spent a beautiful afternoon at Cocoa Beach.
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We had so much fun with my mother in town. She was amazed of David’s progress at Rehab and at the pool. We shared great moments at Winter Park and at the lake.
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For thanksgiving my mother left to Miami to spend it with my sister Gaby. Eddy, Karina and Ana Carolina drove home. We had a wonderful time. We recalled the prior year’s thanksgiving in Miami. Ana had made her first turkey, pureed it so that David could enjoy a thanksgiving dinner at the nursing home with her. Eddy and Karina spent it with her family while Jorge and I celebrated it at Aunt Flor’s house. Fernando had also cooked his first turkey with Josuan back home in Casselberry and ate burned turkey. This year we were all together again giving thanks to God for life and His love.
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Rick, Ginger and Adam visited and were impressed with David's progress and healing. That afternoon David, Fernando and Eddy went to Justin father’s property and later went to Chris’ house. Kris O, Jeanette S, Ryan B, Brandon and Tony passed by. It was wonderful to see them. On Friday, Fernando, Jorge, David and I went to see James Bond at the theater and had a fun time.
 Brandon |  |
David’s standing frame arrived, UCF would be calling soon about Speech therapy and the splints would soon be ready. We visited the University CORA Rehab and continued with the pool therapy. It felt like there was less and less effort from me to get David standing. We were moving ahead.
Even though at times we hoped to be able to place David in intensive-rigorous rehab, we knew his therapies at the non-aggressive pace was working for him. We had spoken with several parents and TBI survivors who had expressed how at times aggressive rehab felt overwhelming and somewhat forceful when the brain was still figuring out time and space and even though it advanced some movements it also would cause them to relapse and lose ground. Many shared it would intensify their depression or anger. For some families – intensive rehab became the hope that it would result in a “get back to normal” scenario. The expectations were drawn high for different reasons from having other responsibilities to attend to, not being financially capable of a continuous program or not having someone able to take the necessary time for the needed rehabilitation.
At adoration one evening, a fellow parishioner whispered that David would be ok and that brought tears to my eyes. We prayed together especially for Jacob, Aggie’s grandson from Michigan, who had a brain tumor and as he underwent through many procedures his faith was strengthening his family and the community around him.
At adoration one evening, a fellow parishioner whispered that David would be ok and that brought tears to my eyes. We prayed together especially for Jacob, Aggie’s grandson from Michigan, who had a brain tumor and as he underwent through many procedures his faith was strengthening his family and the community around him.
Jacob My mother related how Jacob insisted to his church’s pastor in talking to the congregation to what he agreed and recorded his message, which was full of hope and could have only sprout from a heart full of God. Part of Jacob’s message was this: “Jesus loves you and doesn't want you to carry guilt”, he said. “There are three types of hearts. The black heart is a heart full of sin without Jesus’ love; the grey heart is a heart with sin but longs for Jesus’ love and the white heart is a pure heart with Jesus’ love”. In his message was a call to God’s Mercy and Love. It reminded me that God has a purpose and a divine plan for each one of us. We have free will to accept His plan or live our own. This 10-year-old boy revealed in joy the love, which settled in his own heart and became a path of hope to others.
Olivia We continued to place Jacob, Olivia and David in prayer so that their lives would produce peace and joy throughout their journey.
As we were getting ready for our trip to Miami, David became uncertain on visiting Segafredo because of his inability to talk or walk. We saw pictures and videos from when he was at the hospital, which he hadn’t seen up to that moment. We meditated on how far he had come and almost immediately he agreed to leap into this opportunity.
As we were getting ready for our trip to Miami, David became uncertain on visiting Segafredo because of his inability to talk or walk. We saw pictures and videos from when he was at the hospital, which he hadn’t seen up to that moment. We meditated on how far he had come and almost immediately he agreed to leap into this opportunity.
Ana Carolina, David and I drove together and Jorge would drive down and meet us after work.
We stayed with Gaby where we shared laughs and stories with family.
The trip included a visit to his dentist Dr. Miranda which David was looking forward to. Eddy cooked for us at his apartment and we walked by the bay.
We were impressed how David remembered as he directed us to go to Bayside Hut through the back streets. His long-term memory was there.
We stayed with Gaby where we shared laughs and stories with family.
The trip included a visit to his dentist Dr. Miranda which David was looking forward to. Eddy cooked for us at his apartment and we walked by the bay.
We were impressed how David remembered as he directed us to go to Bayside Hut through the back streets. His long-term memory was there.
Manny and Catherine invited us to an amazing barbecue and the next day we had Christmas dinner party at Aunt Flor's house.
The next morning we met at Manny-Catherine’s for breakfast and had the “David Arroyo” sandwich from “The Sandwich King” cafeteria which owners Lili and Gustavo were so happy to see David.
On Wednesday we went to Segafredo and shared with family and friends Sebastian, Lazaro, Claudia, John, Woody, Natacha, Cristina and others.
We went back on Friday and met with Simon whose support and prayers had been present from the beginning. This trip had been such a blessing and an early Christmas gift for David.
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Back home, David seemed deep in thoughts. For about 2 weeks I could see a kind of sadness, which had not been there before. He gestured about not being able to walk. All I thought was how his suffering was on the cross with Jesus. David never lost faith and his joy was real amidst his suffering.
Special visits followed starting with Brandon whom we prayed the deliverance prayer together with. Kimberly came Friday and we went to the movies to see Les Misserables, the musical and left Saturday. Michael came by on Tuesday and was very happy to see David stand up and take a few steps. Nurse Rose called to share how she continued working on her faith and how my optimistic faith with the perseverance and hard work of taking David home was a true testimony of faith. She mentioned that she would direct people at the nursing home - to visit us to get re-energized. We laughed and were grateful for the presence of each other in each others lives. She ended the conversation saying that God's message for me was “don't worry about anything even financially, have I not taken care of you before?”
Special visits followed starting with Brandon whom we prayed the deliverance prayer together with. Kimberly came Friday and we went to the movies to see Les Misserables, the musical and left Saturday. Michael came by on Tuesday and was very happy to see David stand up and take a few steps. Nurse Rose called to share how she continued working on her faith and how my optimistic faith with the perseverance and hard work of taking David home was a true testimony of faith. She mentioned that she would direct people at the nursing home - to visit us to get re-energized. We laughed and were grateful for the presence of each other in each others lives. She ended the conversation saying that God's message for me was “don't worry about anything even financially, have I not taken care of you before?”
At home we prayed for Fernando’s decision in considering joining Communita in St. Augustine. On the other hand, Miami seemed to be a closed page for Ana Carolina, for she was falling in love with Steven. Life was moving forward.
 Miami |  Steven, Ana Carolina & David |
We celebrated Christmas Eve at William and Pili’s and spent time with cousin Carmencita.
Christmas morning we shared together as a family. I cooked and we brunched over the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas meal. In the afternoon went to Chris and Susie’s and had a great time.
For New Year’s Eve we shared it at the Caballero’s home, said our farewell to a year full of blessings and surprises and prayed for a special brand new year.
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We thank God for guiding us throughout this process because we can help others to stay strong in their own journey. He makes us strong and gives us joy. Our soul glorifies the Lord.
John 2:9-10
John 2:9-10