What A Beautiful Day!!!

How was this for a "Chamber of Commerce Day" in Austin?! Danny took advantage of it and took Dad outside for about 45 minutes this afternoon! That's a great way to get some good Vitamin D!!!

Danny and Daddy had a great day together! They played two games of two-handed Texas Hold 'Em poker and Danny admitted that Dad beat him handily!!! I keep ribbing Dad about beating him at gin and had Danny tell him that, if he'll practice, I'll play him again some time! That got a big grin out of him! During the late afternoon, Dad caught Danny sleeping in the chair! Danny said that when he woke up Dad pointed at him and laughed out loud! The speech therapist says that laughing out loud is GREAT therapy to wake up his voice!

A father should be so lucky to have a son like Danny! He has been diligent with supporting what the therapists are doing and pushing Dad to work hard so they can go fishing! Dad takes pressure from Danny better than he does any of us! Today Danny was working with Dad's right leg and Dad lifted it up about 3 inches! That's the first time he has been able to do that! We are convinced that Dad will regain enough strength to walk! Lifting that leg on his own is the first step (no pun in tended!)!

Dad pointed to the clock today and Danny deciphered that he wanted Danny say out loud the days between now and Monday. Then Dad had Danny name the days again and made him stop on Saturday. He was telling Danny he wanted to go home tomorrow. Danny explained to him that we were getting his personal assistant and home health care lined up and Monday was the soonest that could happen. Patience is not Dad's best virtue, but he has sure learned to have more of it since his stroke! Hopefully he will remain patient until Monday!!!

Mom will be back at Reliant some time Saturday late morning and will stay with Dad during the day Saturday and Sunday and then drive him home Monday. Dad will not have any therapy Saturday or Sunday, so both days are good for visiting!

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh