A Few Smiles Later...

Well, everyone agrees it was so good to see dad a little more alert today. They said he was a little groggier later this afternoon. I have to imagine he wears himself out with all the arm tugging and the facial exercises. Mike and P.J. shared a similar magical moment that I did, with dad looking them right in the eyes and giving a little smile. They both agree that there's no doubt that he knows exactly who we are. Dad was especially happy to see P.J.'s wife Kersta, for some reason she got a whole lot of smiling, which is sweet cause she is the newest member of our family. She and P.J. have only been married about two months, so dad seems to really be putting on the charm for her. She was singing a little to him, so his smiling could just be the pure joy of finally hearing someone other than mom. (Mom would admit that Kersta is a much better singer.) Unfortunately, Mike's wife Becky was unable to see dad, as she is more than 7 months pregnant and her belly does not allow her to bend over the bed to see his face! So dad will have to settle for just hearing her voice until we can get some sort of step stool in there. We all had a good laugh about that. My husband Chris had to return to Chicago last night, but hopefully dad will have some smiles for him tomorrow.

Mom always calls the hospital to check on him before she goes to bed, and they said he was holding steady. They sat him up in a chair for awhile and his heart rate and oxygen were really good. Earlier this week when they tried to sit him up, his heart rate couldn't handle it, so it's postitive news that his body is healing. His pneumonia is better, his lungs are slowing clearing. We thank God for the tiny baby steps of encouragement He is giving us. There is word that his respirator may come out in the next few days, and there will be HUGE celebration when that happens. And by huge, I mean REALLY HUGE. We continue to pray that his throat is healing, and that simple functions such as swallowing will be in tact.

Our smiles from dad will keep us going for many days, even if that is all the progress we see for awhile. Pray for the family, as we all seem to be emotionally drained, and a wee bit stressed out. We continue to give thanks to God for his mercy and grace, for giving us each a moment with dad today that won't be forgotten.