I left to Miami the next morning after dad’s funeral. So many different emotions dealt with. A part of my heart stayed behind and the other couldn’t wait to see David.
The pink chair was introduced to sit him semi-upright. At the hospital, the CNA’s sat David up on a special chair, which we called the pink chair, because of the color. While they monitored his blood pressure, he would learn to remain semi-upright, as it helped to decrease any vertigo/dizzy spell he would be experiencing. CNA Irene became a dear one in our midst. She kept David as comfortable as possible.
The ninth floor staff would educate us further on signs to watch for. His hands would constantly tremble and it appeared that he would try to speak moving his tongue and lips. He wore a neck brace, which David did not like at all and attempted many times to convince everyone and anyone to take it off. He kept the brace until one afternoon Jorge realized it had slit opened his skin on the back of his head and never wore it again.
In one of Father Martin’s visits, we learned he had been the professor of Father Dominique, who we had hosted at home in one of his mission’s trip from Africa to the USA in 2005. What a small world. It felt as if God connected his dots wherever it was needed.
How many special people we continue to meet.
David’s old work team at Bayside Hut in Key Biscayne visited and related stories of their “super boss”. His bosses at Segafredo-Brickell visited him with their families one afternoon and lead a powerful and beautiful prayer filled with genuine affection. We continuously recognized the grace of being part of a community that gave, cared and loved.
The ninth floor staff would educate us further on signs to watch for. His hands would constantly tremble and it appeared that he would try to speak moving his tongue and lips. He wore a neck brace, which David did not like at all and attempted many times to convince everyone and anyone to take it off. He kept the brace until one afternoon Jorge realized it had slit opened his skin on the back of his head and never wore it again.
In one of Father Martin’s visits, we learned he had been the professor of Father Dominique, who we had hosted at home in one of his mission’s trip from Africa to the USA in 2005. What a small world. It felt as if God connected his dots wherever it was needed.
How many special people we continue to meet.
David’s old work team at Bayside Hut in Key Biscayne visited and related stories of their “super boss”. His bosses at Segafredo-Brickell visited him with their families one afternoon and lead a powerful and beautiful prayer filled with genuine affection. We continuously recognized the grace of being part of a community that gave, cared and loved.
Many times I would meditate on a need or a personal desire and prayed about it and soon enough someone dear or new would appear with the answer or support. This caused me to suggest how God moves our hearts for one another to answer a prayer and it is up to us to respond to the movement in our hearts. It makes us participants of the wonders and miracles we so long await for. It also made me reflect on the times we are so entertained with noise or so fixed on our concerns that we miss becoming that piece of the puzzle in someone’s life. And then what about those who are indifferent or don’t believe in God. Is everyone capable of being receptive to the movement of God’s voice or Spirit?
On June 20th, as we were practicing some sounds with David, he started moving his toes followed by moving both legs bending his knees. I ran to record it. We starred and hoped he could repeat it, especially on command. This meant for us the possibility of moving into the acute rehabilitation area where he would learn how to walk, talk and regain all the muscle control to live a normal life and become independent again.
That same week I had the most beautiful dream. My dad opened the room door and walked towards David to fix his head straight on his pillow. I told dad he looked so handsome and he just smiled at me and left. When I woke up all I could think of was about this great feeling of contentment.
On June 26, they changed his tracheotomy tube, which had a cap on, designed to help with the sounds of speech. Things were looking bright. The speech therapist visited us and gave us daily homework to stimulate and increase his mouth sensory awareness.
My partner, best friend and husband Jorge. Life started to take shape for all of us as we struggled with the changes and emotions of the day-to-day challenges and progress. Ana Carolina, Eddy and wife Karina shared an apartment in Coral Gables where Jorge would stay as he traveled back and forth from Orlando and Miami once or twice a week. I remember waiting anxiously to see Jorge and literally crying to see him go. He was now the only one working. I knew he had to go to work but my heart wished he wouldn’t have to leave. Even though we were only 4 hours away it was hard and different to juggle life far from each other.
Ana Carolina & Eddy
As weeks went by, the room in the 9th floor became my special corner. In the middle of the noises and the in and out visits of nurses and doctors, I reflected about life; that we are just specs in the universe; and on what is the meaning of life without love and helping each other. How I was so vulnerable and emotionally delicate yet I felt strong and purposeful every day ready to do what was in store moment-by-moment. This fortitude and strength of mind carried me from the morning until I would fall asleep. The “Footprints in the Sand” poem connected and continuously spoke to my heart. The Lord was certainly carrying me.
Trusting in the Lord, working wholehearted with what is at hand, emerging unconditionally into your present reality provides an empowerment, which can ultimately define a stronger better tomorrow.
(Isaiah 25:1; Proverbs 4:25)
Trusting in the Lord, working wholehearted with what is at hand, emerging unconditionally into your present reality provides an empowerment, which can ultimately define a stronger better tomorrow.
(Isaiah 25:1; Proverbs 4:25)
