A Tad Late, but..."Welcome Home Kyle, 2014"

It's that time of year when we have to let go, to let our children become those independent human beings we spent the last 17 years working on.   I love seeing all the shared FB posts of Kyle's classmates as they head off to college, especially those he's known since kindergarten. They put a smile on my face.   But I also empathize with those first time parents who are wearing their hearts on their sleeves right now.  It's not Kyle's time quite yet, so I will enjoy everyone else's heartfelt thoughts and sentimental photography.  I am thrilled and happy to see everyone's accomplishments, but just remember, the sadness that we also feel is real.

....and that's ok.

Into Every Life, A Little Rain Must Fall....

The dreary morning that it was today was no help for me when fear, worry, and anxiety have become unwanted companions again.  I know it won't last.  But these bed fellows are here at this moment, at this time.  Kyle will be heading off soon and Greg, Alex and I worry for his short term memory loss, as does Kyle.  He still continues to make enormous strides.  And there is still so much more room for him to heal.  If you were to sit in front of a plant and watch it grow, day after day,  you wouldn't see it grow, but you would know.   So, as the quote says, somedays really are just putting one foot in front of the other.

Let The Sunshine In....

So here now are not college send-off pictures of Kyle, not just yet.  Here now are pictures that lifted my spirits today.  These photos of Kyle's "homecoming" may have been taken way back in October, but the images are always with me in the present.

"What if I fall?" Oh, but my darling. What if you fly?

Last month, on the one year anniversary of Kyle's accident, we celebrated his graduation from Kettle Run High School.   Who could argue that this was the perfect way to say "you've come a long way, baby!"

On May 31, 2014 our lives were turned upside down and inside out, but then slowly we began to see right side up again.  Exactly one year later, on May 31, 2015, we watched Kyle walk across that high school stage.   It was thee perfect way to celebrate.

We still have our daily struggles, but on that particular night the smiles told a different story.

Here is a look back, through a photo gallery, of some of the transitions of the past year.  There are some before, during, and after photos, some of which have never been posted before.

I'll start with a not so pretty picture of what we were faced with.  It's a reminder of how incredibly fortunate we are to have Kyle with us.

Did we ever doubt? (mmm, yeah maybe)

A Grandmother's Loving Hands...

Out of ICU, and into "step down" in Pediatrics.

 At home, this past winter, with those same Loving Hands.

Kyle's Beard....

The week before the accident.

In ICU, his beard got a little nasty.  Good thing he didn't know Missy was shaving off his pride and joy.

One year later, "so GQ".  (I personally like this trimmed beard look).

That Trach, oh that Trach...

 Inova Fairfax in ICU

Slowly eliminating the trach at Shepherd Center.

Without the bandage a visible hole.

The hole had to be kept covered in order to talk.  Kyle's first phone conversation was with Grandma.

So much weight loss!

At Shepherd Center, with a 40 pound weight drop.

Inova Loudon Rehab today.

Progressive eating....             
                                                                                                     

Completely dependent.

Workin' it with help.

When we returned to Shepherd in January for surgery, right hand eating only though.

At Loudon's therapy in April, eating popcorn with his left arm... not too bad.

But with a spoon?  a slightly different story.

Cornhole!...

 It all started at Shepherd's Garden Of Hope  ;)

Now in our back yard...the Champ he proclaims to be!

That arm.....

Jasmine working on that H.O.  (Heterotopic Ossification)

The H.O. didn't stop forming.  Back to Atlanta for surgery.

Thank's to his awesome surgeon, Dr. P, and his wonderful therapists, Kyle's arm is close to normal.  Current therapy at Inova Loudoun Rehab.

Working that arm on his Eagle Scout project!

Maddie.... ♥

Inova Step Down in Pediatrics... brushing Kyle's teeth for him :)

No words needed ♥

The crew that brought Maddie down to Shepherd.

Kyle's homecoming in October!    Yes, Crashing IS for Dummies (t-shirt courtesy of Alex and his work company).

The Love of his Life....

No, not Lucas (well, maybe Lucas).  Basketball!

This was a difficult one to watch.

We'll never know what he was thinking.

Our return to Shepherd in January, for the H.O surgery on Kyle's arm.

Happier times.

  

Lucas....

A poignant moment

Eight months later  :)

Mobility....

From this...

To this....

To back on the trampoline!

For those who followed and prayed for my brother, Greg, and for Nancy....

And one of my favorite categories, Pet Therapy....

They were there, right from the start.  

Our last day at Pathways out-patient therapy at Shepherd, and heading home.