Healing and Giving Thanks

Dave is four weeks post hip replacement surgery and I'm at three weeks post broken ankle surgery. The first couple weeks were rough. They were made bearable by a lot of help from our son David and a weekend visit from our daughter Brielle. It feels like we've made it over the hump! Young David took care of nearly everything during this time. He caught me feeling sad one day and with a hint of a smile said, "Don't feel bad mom. It was just an accident. Nobody blames you for breaking your ankle when Dad needed you. Besides, this is only a slight inconvenience for me!" It made me laugh through my tears!

Beth and Brielle enjoying a cup of coffee on Lake Superior

David with Jess

David with his "lame" parents

We are making progress! Dave is walking with a cane and went for his first drive recently! I am in a hard cast now, still not able to bear weight but getting around well with the help of a borrowed scooter; thanks to our friend Mary Miles. Mary brought us dinner and the best bran muffins on earth. She is a Physical Therapist and a runner. She understands the mind of a benched athlete.

A happy Beth on wheels

Mary Miles at Grandma's Marathon Finish

Our friends Debbie and Charlie Brown spent an afternoon with us; Debbie at the hospital with me, Charlie at our house with Dave who was not able to visit me. The Browns brought me flowers and a cuddly stuffed owl I named "Wings". Debbie said I needed something to hold onto while I was alone in the hospital. She is a wise friend. The Browns had already loaned Dave all the necessary hip replacement "doodads" including a walker, cane, and grabber. Both are veterans of the bionic hip club!

"Wings"

Our Friends Charlie & Debbie Brown

We've had many visits from neighbors and friends stopping by with food and encouragement, treats and good cheer. Each visit made for a good distraction from the boredom, gloom and doom of our long-term immobility. Dave's sister, Leslie Rogers McCormick, came from Montana, staying with us over that critical early recovery period. She had her hands full with the two of us still feeling pretty low. We appreciate the time she spent caring for us. It was a gift of the heart.

Leslie Rogers McCormick

We've received piles of get well cards, phone calls, texts and emails; well wishes from friends near and far. We can't thank everyone enough for their thoughtful gestures. Each and every contact mattered and is humbly appreciated. We thank you all!

Dave and I continue to heal together. We are able to do more each day and take lovely afternoon naps. I've been cooking dinner and baking goodies, including brownies, bars and a strawberry rhubarb pie. I've also been crocheting, making a cast sock to keep my swollen toes warm.

Custom Cast Sock

Toasty Toes

Healing...Together

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

On the days when the temperature outside is mild, we sit on our porch and enjoy the fresh air, dreaming about our future. We watch the snow melt and the sun rise higher in the sky. There is a light at the end of this winter...

Relaxing on the porch with Dave

Dave feeling great in the sun

We are lucky to have one another and to share deep trust and admiration. During our recovery, Dave has helped me far more than I could help him, the irony of the terrible timing of my accident. In some ways. Dave is far more comfortable with things this way. I've always called him my super hero. He has more than earned that endearment over the many years we've been together!