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Feeling Grateful


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#1 Captain Pike

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Posted 20 April 2008 - 08:38 PM

My wife is a way, traveling with her two children, for a little vacation in DC. I have good CNA personnel come in each day, to get me up, get my day started. My 15 year old son can attend to many of my needs and puts me to bed each night. So I'm fairly well "covered" with my wife being away.
Things have been going great -- my brother is also living at our house temporarily, allowing a broken ankle to heal. So the three of us, and occasionally a friend of mine, can get ourselves something to eat, et cetera.
It's been good for my wife to be able to get away -- spend some time with her kids without having to deal with my issues. All in all, I feel very lucky.
Last night, hoisted in the Hoyer lift, I smelled the ashy smell of you-know-what. My boy has not been expected to deal with this kind of situation -- the hired help or my wife have always been able to clean up the toxic waste spill. Until last night.
I never heard one, "Ah... geez", or "oh, this is great!", instead, all I heard was the snapping of rubber gloves and something that went about like this, "don't worry dad, I got you covered." He grabbed some chucks, laid me out and cleaned me up, like it was nothing. He even did the laundry after.
I tried to hold back my tears; I wasn't sad, it was more like, spellbound. It doesn't seem like it has been that long since I was changing his diaper. When did this young kid grow to be such a fine young man?

#2 Joed

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Posted 20 April 2008 - 09:39 PM

Well, I'm holding back my own tears here...

What touches me the most is not so much in your son's willingness to take charge in your personal needs (although that's admirable in it's own right), but that his spirit approached it in a way that lessened any uncomfortableness for you. What a great kid you've got...Kiss him right on the mouth for me. :drooldrip:
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Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.

#3 kdenon01

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Posted 20 April 2008 - 10:47 PM

That is seriously so sweet. Very touching story.

#4 nomis

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Posted 20 April 2008 - 11:04 PM

A loverly moment, Cap'n.
"It's the notion that there is no perfection ~ that this is a broken world and we live with broken hearts and broken lives but still that is no alibi for anything. On the contrary, you have to stand up and say hallelujah under those circumstances. " - Leonard Cohen

#5 qbounce

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Posted 21 April 2008 - 12:23 AM

Cap'n,

I enjoy your scribles. . . the bad ones and the ones like this,,,,,,tear
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain

#6 Tired of hurting

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Posted 21 April 2008 - 01:29 AM

 qbounce, on Apr 20 2008, 07:23 PM, said:

Cap'n,

I enjoy your scribles. . . the bad ones and the ones like this,,,,,,tear

Captain it pays off to be a loving parent, Hats off to you and your wife for raising outstanding human being...

#7 Mike (c4-5) & Lorena

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Posted 21 April 2008 - 07:32 PM

 Captain Pike, on Apr 20 2008, 03:38 PM, said:

My wife is a way, traveling with her two children, for a little vacation in DC. I have good CNA personnel come in each day, to get me up, get my day started. My 15 year old son can attend to many of my needs and puts me to bed each night. So I'm fairly well "covered" with my wife being away.
Things have been going great -- my brother is also living at our house temporarily, allowing a broken ankle to heal. So the three of us, and occasionally a friend of mine, can get ourselves something to eat, et cetera.
It's been good for my wife to be able to get away -- spend some time with her kids without having to deal with my issues. All in all, I feel very lucky.
Last night, hoisted in the Hoyer lift, I smelled the ashy smell of you-know-what. My boy has not been expected to deal with this kind of situation -- the hired help or my wife have always been able to clean up the toxic waste spill. Until last night.
I never heard one, "Ah... geez", or "oh, this is great!", instead, all I heard was the snapping of rubber gloves and something that went about like this, "don't worry dad, I got you covered." He grabbed some chucks, laid me out and cleaned me up, like it was nothing. He even did the laundry after.
I tried to hold back my tears; I wasn't sad, it was more like, spellbound. It doesn't seem like it has been that long since I was changing his diaper. When did this young kid grow to be such a fine young man?


You are trully blessed. How special is that. You two must have done a great job raising him. Even if you dont think you did, there must be tons of love in your family. You are one proud dad. And, you should be.

#8 linda

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Posted 24 April 2008 - 08:11 PM

Thats wonderful! Its always nice to be able to experience first hand the kindness that your child poses. He sound like a very caring and understanding young man.

Keep up the good work!

#9 LuckyinKentucky

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 08:38 PM

Maybe this is a reflection of an inadvertent gift that many of us give...including from you to your son... inspiration... I may be way off here, so I'll go ahead and apologize if so, but it seem like when people see us taking our toils in stride (bad pun) they are endowed with a feeling of inner strength. I have no doubt that your son has witnessed you overcoming some doozies, it's not surprising to me that a bit of that strength has rubbed off... It's just one more of the gifts we are now uniquely able to give.

#10 Captain Pike

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Posted 28 April 2008 - 06:57 PM

mmm..., this last post is quite curious. I hadn't thought, but it makes sense, then those new to us seeing us move through things are bound to be inspired.

And thanks to everyone for your kind responses.




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