 | From the moment we entered our home on December 17th, a series of events and special moments were encapsulated in unique memories. |
The following day after our arrival, we celebrated Kimberly and Jorge’s birthday. It was definitely perfect timing.
| The next days, we sat to recall our time in Miami, as Kimberly would trim his hair or Jorge would prepare us his famous coffee. Before celebrating the end of the year, David was consistently responding with head gestures to yes and no and would say “Hi” to Aunt Flor every time she called. |  |
He enjoyed sharing time with Eddy, Fernando and Jorge listening to music, watching us sing, playing the maracas, listening to Jorge play the bongos or the drums and watching Fernando dance. David specially enjoyed when we would stand him up so that he could experience what it was to feel the rhythm and the urge to dance again. Music enriched us and invited us to dance all the time.
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We were excitedly getting ready for what the New Year had in store
for David and us as a family. The new doctor gave us prescriptions for occupational, physical and speech therapies; he lowered the high blood pressure dosage and discontinued all other medications. David was swallowing well and tolerating food and liquids skillfully.
My mother called and told me to take David to confession. I phoned Father Fidel and we were so grateful that he was able to see us on such short notice.
for David and us as a family. The new doctor gave us prescriptions for occupational, physical and speech therapies; he lowered the high blood pressure dosage and discontinued all other medications. David was swallowing well and tolerating food and liquids skillfully.
My mother called and told me to take David to confession. I phoned Father Fidel and we were so grateful that he was able to see us on such short notice.
| On Saturday, December 24th at 5:00 am, Eddy, Karina and Ana Carolina drove from Miami and showed up by surprise. Ana Carolina played Santa and brought tons of food and goodies for David. I cooked the traditional Christmas Eve dinner - arroz con gandules, pernil and pasteles – and we had a great dinner together. |  |
 David & Chris O. | Later that afternoon dear friends Chris & Steven S, Sheila, Chris O and Chris C came to visit David and shared great times together. At night we went to see Christmas lights with Fernando and Josuan. |
Christmas Day was full of joy. We opened presents, told stories and raised praises for the blessing of being home with David. Eddy, Karina and Ana Carolina left around 2 PM back to Miami.
An overwhelming emotion embraced us all as we walked together to church. David cried as he saw the Virgin Mary in the nativity display. As we approached to take Holy Communion together we could testify to the marvelous obliging of God’s divine plan to have his children participate in His Love.
An overwhelming emotion embraced us all as we walked together to church. David cried as he saw the Virgin Mary in the nativity display. As we approached to take Holy Communion together we could testify to the marvelous obliging of God’s divine plan to have his children participate in His Love.
 Jorge, David & I going to church. |  Fernando, David & Jorge |
One morning around 5:30 am David was yelling calling me. When we opened the door of his room, he was half hanging out of the bed with the arm wrapped around the bed guardrail. He had been trying to get up. We asked David to restrain from getting out of bed until he would begin physical therapy and learn the safe way to doing so. Florida State’s BSCI area Director Larson called to inform us that David had been approved to receive additional funding for therapy. He would start in 2 to 3 weeks. Speech therapy was being coordinated with UCF. We knew God was moving the pieces.
| As David listened to old music one day with Fernando watching him clean his room, Fernando read a letter he kept on his desk, which David had written the year before. He wrote that he would always support and encourage him to pursue his dreams. He also repeated how he admired his talent and passion for dance. They both embraced and cried. |  David always encouraged Fernando to follow his dreams. |
Fernando then stretched and exercised his arms and legs and practiced to sign with his head to respond yes and no to different commands. Eddy mentioned how Fernando would become very instrumental to David’s recovery and I knew this would be true.
 | Dear friend Julie came to visit David one afternoon. She shared that God had placed in her heart to bring him a financial gift. With David and I out of commission to work, we shared with Julie how God had been constantly telling us in various ways not to worry about |
finances – that He was in charge. We talked about God and His divine plan. She said that she had a dream about David on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial site. “It was a better David being used by God”, she said. She mentioned how happy she was that we were home and with purpose and intention told David that she wanted to dance with him again. Her visit brought much joy to all our hearts.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
We had been blessed with financial gifts from family and friends all along. God moves hearts and their response made it possible for me to stay home with David.
The next weeks were busy - skyping with family and friends, visits to the park and doing the wheel, pulling bench, mini bicycle and catching the ball with Jorge and teasing his dad with faking the throws. David was now spitting on command when brushing his teeth, wheeling his chair away from the table and blowing the whistle.
We recalled Justin, the homeless at Jackson Memorial Hospital who told us that David would become a great speaker motivator in the future telling his story to many. We also remembered the many people who had been praying with the rosaries David had given them – recognizing David had already been on a mission before the accident.
Special visits completed the year. Moses came to give David a haircut, Jonathan DJ and Brandon K spent time with him, which made him very happy. Then on New Year’s Eve cousin Michael came by to visit. We laughed as David gestured him with an old inner-circle Peacock salutation.
Special visits completed the year. Moses came to give David a haircut, Jonathan DJ and Brandon K spent time with him, which made him very happy. Then on New Year’s Eve cousin Michael came by to visit. We laughed as David gestured him with an old inner-circle Peacock salutation.
 Moses giving David a haircut. |  The peacock salutation with cousin Michael. |
Numerous loving and encouraging messages flooded our phones wishing us health, happiness, and hope. Each one brought a smile to our faces and affirmed their love with ours in a very special way.
Gaby wrote - “Here’s to those who keep defying the odds and those that become their champions and advocates along the way… you and David motivate anybody. Feel proud of your accomplishments so far. As you sit at home with your kid… here’s to a freaking amazing year full of more miracles. xoxo”
Rose W wrote – “God is always and has always been in control so sit back and let the pilot take you safely to your destination. Trust him. He has superb direction. Be blessed and favored. I love you.”
We were ready to welcome a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Gaby wrote - “Here’s to those who keep defying the odds and those that become their champions and advocates along the way… you and David motivate anybody. Feel proud of your accomplishments so far. As you sit at home with your kid… here’s to a freaking amazing year full of more miracles. xoxo”
Rose W wrote – “God is always and has always been in control so sit back and let the pilot take you safely to your destination. Trust him. He has superb direction. Be blessed and favored. I love you.”
We were ready to welcome a HAPPY NEW YEAR!