Nov 24 (Saturday) - HOME!

It is 9pm, on Saturday, Nov 24th, and if my calcuations are correct it is the one hundred twenty-ninth day since the accident.   Jeannette and Rich are both home, alive and with their minds and hearts intact.  From my perspective, as a friend of many years, it has been an incredible journey between the THEN and the NOW.  It has also been an incredible saga of ups and downs, of hope intermixed with fear and worry, and a testament to the human spirit over adversity.   In the process I've come to know an entire array of family and friends, and together we have witness a true modern day miracle.   The medical doctors and nurses truly did what seemed impossible, they put "Humpty Dumpty Back Together Again."   Rich is home.  Jeannette is home.   On Friday night they made the journey from the hospital to Willow, and today the new dawn broke with a sky that was bright and clear, with calm air and the awesome quiet of a perfect winter day.   It was an incredible day, a day to see, a day to experience, and a day to remind all of us of the incredible gift that defines the life experience.

Rich and Jeannette are two incredible friends; two very amazing people, and their zest for life and faith in God are an inspiration for everyone who knows them.   As I have written these updates and done my best to keep up this blog, never certain of the outcome, I've been amazed at the constant prayers, unending support, and steadfast faith that has streamed to them from all across the world.    The truth is they have more friends in more places than I will probably every have in my lifetime, and the outpouring of support has been an incredible thing to witness.   

As Sully and I visited with them this morning their home was filled with the nuances that remind me that the journey is not yet ended.   There are lots of medicines to take, a brand new CPM  machine to use, a minature "wound pack" and walkers and extra blankets and multitudes of boxes of medical supplies stacked and waiting to be used.   But, they are home, and Jeannette slept 12 hours last night, snuggled next to the one she loves, and this morning Rich cooked a real "soft boiled" egg breakfast and it was better than anything the hospital ever served.   There is nothing like being home of course, and you could see the sparkle in Jeannette's eyes.   Home is good therapy, and literally "just what the doctor ordered."   And, I anticipate that with each day now that passes, Jeannette will continue to improve, gaining strength and mobility.  

As a writer of the blog, in a very real way now the story has been told, and it seems fitting to me to move from written reports and "updates" to the more normality of life as we all live it.   Friends will drop by, and phone calls will be made, and there will be trips to therapists and doctors, and additional surgeries down the road too at some point.   But with both of them home, in their own house in Willow, it seems a good time to rest the pen and leave them space and time to recover.    

There is oh-so-much to be thankful for, and with the Christmas season approaching this miracle of 2012 will be on all our minds.   Tonight I smile with Jeannette and Rich, knowing the are home, side-by-side and enjoying the warmth of their incredible oil stove with its bright blue hot flame.   As I end this update,  I have one more picture to share, taken this morning.  It is of the two of them, side by side, resting comfortably in their own living room.    To me, that picture is worth far more than any words alone could ever convey.

I do not intend to write more "updates" right now, as the journey to get them home has been made.   I will end this update with Jeannette's own words, taken from a post she did a few hours ago.   She is the toughest woman I've every known, and an incredible inspiration for everyone.   I'll end this update with a "Good night my friends", and a "Godspeed" for Rich and Jeannette...  -John

Jeannette:
          "...Through the grace of God and the help of Jj and Larry and Sue I actually made it back HOME!! Needless to say, I shed tears of gratitude. It has been a long journey with more to go but I promise not to give up my dear friends. Thank you all for not doubting me, for your prayers, kind thoughts, and the wonderful messages on the blog.  John and Sully did such a superb job in keeping everyone informed and I know that it couldn't have been easy,at times.  Thank all the wonderful visitors who helped keep me laughing To Erica,Joyce,John and Sully, who were there from day one and housed our family and friends. There is a reason we have been "family" for 40years. To Deb, Kev and Jon who dropped everything and flew up to help Rich. To our sweet grandson Matt and Kyna.  To Doug and to Krista for all that you did.  And last but not least, to our dearest daughter Sam who had to make decisions a daughter should never have to make and dazzled all the medical staff with her knowledge and tenacity. Rich's sister MaryK came and fattened up Rich and was instrumental in his recovery, taking him to therapy etc. We are so thankful to them and all you who helped in so many ways. To the medical staff at Providence and St Elias who saved my life so many times, thank you. God bless each and everyone of you and never underestimate the power of your prayers.   HE listens...."