Caren is dealing with a setback.  Right now, it takes all her energy as her brain injury goes through the process of healing.  To experience a raging UTI - has caused a major setback for Caren.  Her speech is more slurred, her responses slower, and it takes her longer to process thoughts.  She is experiencing more loss of balance since contracting the UTI, meaning she is more unsteady.  The body has not yet built up reserves, so having an infection along with a concussion means that she tires more easily and sleeps even more.[...]

Prayers for Caren: Infection - probably a UTI - awaiting results. Seems like some CNA's need a refresher course on peri-care. So far we have avoided pneumonia, colds, flu, etc. As a family, we stay away if ill, or wear a mask if questionable. I'd hate to think that someone else's negligence could present a set-back for Caren. Also, when just becoming a little more mobile, and having to trot to the potty every 20 minutes - not fun. Sighs. Gotta pray this girl home, 
      Urinary Tract Infections may be particularly dangerous because they can lead to bacteremia − bacteria in the blood stream − and may result in transferring the patient to a hospital temporarily. [...]

Caren has had only two (2) OT appointments - one with range of motion. While waiting approval from the doctor for OT, Caren had started working on her R arm on her own initiative, moving it. With extremely great effort (you can see the pain on her face), she raised her arm today by grasping the fingers of her R hand with her L hand, using her L hand to uplift the R. So far she hasn't been able to lift the R arm on her own without screaming out in pain. It is still weak. Baby steps is progress! Here is what she showed me! Wowza!

This morning I had the delight to reconnect with Judy Grimes, a 'retired' Unity minister and our guest speaker at UGGR. Today, Judy's lesson gave me a different perspective of 'waiting.' I believe it is the same idea Rev. Jim shared with us on 'pauses'.

As we encourage Caren on her healing journey, we are all frustrated at times during the times of waiting, during the times of seeming inactivity, during the days of unscheduled therapies, when it appears that nothing is being accomplished. While logically we acknowledge that sleep and rest are vital to Caren's well-being, filling in the blank times with meaningful explanations seems somewhat trivial.

Our 'aha' moment comes when we see the beauty of the space between, that pause before the next step, the threshold to greater awareness and accomplishment. Judy calls this space 'liminality.' It is not meant to be a time of anxiety.

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”

In 'Grace for the Journey', by Beverly and George Thompson, we are invited to " to see transitional times as an opportunity to develop deeper spiritual awareness of God’s call on [our] life—a call that opens up fresh potential even as it calls us to consider what familiar things may need to change."

Thank you for your continued love and support, for your affirmative prayers as Caren explores these transitional changes. Thank you for your love and prayers, for that extra measure of grace that manifests as peace and harmony in Caren's heart, in the hearts of all of us, as we evolve through this concept of liminality - "betwixt and between."

Jehovah El Emeth

Message from Caren:  "Caren Robinson[...]

"Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers." (Good News Translation)[...]

 Last night this gal was just too tired to finish the thoughts on 'waiting'.  Yesterday, Caren and I found a quiet spot at Spectrum Rehab to share lunch - and discuss goals, and waiting.[...]

 Waiting.  Are we such busy people that waiting is a challenge?  I guess we just want answers.  Today we are at the orthopaedist's office.  Caren has been taken into x-ray. And, I wait.[...]

             Never, ever, ever quit!

 Empowerment–You must be in charge of your healing in every way to counteract the effects of the trauma where all control was taken away from you.[...]