Caren's Loveys

     Saturday evening, after the accident, before Austin saw Mom, he insisted that Mom needed a stuffed animal with her.  Sunday was the day the kids first got to see Caren.  On the way to the hospital Austin became extremely agitated that he had forgotten his stuffed animal.  We stopped at the dollar store.  Austin insisted Mom had to have the larger white bear AND the smaller one.  He wanted BOTH.  We waited.  He explained, "It's me and Mom."  The bears stay.  
     The blue prayer shawl is a very special gift from the Unity of Greater Grand Rapids Prayer Shawl Ministry, and is always close.  "Shawls . . . made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God, . . . wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter, and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles." (Written in 1998 by: Janet Severi Bristow Copyright ©2014)
     This is Caren, new and improved.  Saturday she was still covered in blood, and the R eye was swollen the size of a golf ball.  It looked like someone had placed half a plum where her eye had been.  The abrasions to her forehead, that extend into her hairline, are also smaller, and not as intense.  They had been from eyebrow to two inches into the hairline.  The bruising from the R eye is draining into the L eye.  Thankfully the Trauma Team explained that one, :-)  They are awesome!
     Rick, her most favorite lovey,  has been with her the whole time, holding her hand, whispering words of encouragement, helping her to stay focused, positioning her, and believing for her.