Mixed Nuts: The start of closure

Quotes

"There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark." - Helen Keller
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
You may never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.- Unknown
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow' ~Helen Keller
Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."- Dr. Seuss
"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it."
"God doesn't give children with disabilities to strong people: He gives them to ordinary, everyday people, then He helps the parents to grow stronger through the journey. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family."Author Unknown
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go – Abraham Lincoln
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~ Benjamin Franklin
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle - Albert Einstein
The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step
Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives you a fairy tale
Where there is great love, there are always miracles - Willa Cather
The Difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.
Be the change you want to see in the world
Don't tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big Your God is..........
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
Fall down seven times - get up eight - unknown
Despite our differences, we sink or swim together
Life may not be the party we expected, but while we are here, we might as well dance
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." -Confucius

Monday, August 1, 2011

The start of closure

Today we started our closure on our life here in Connecticut. I went into work for the last time. I spent two hours with the new nurse (who is going to be AWESOME) and answer her questions and show her around the office. It was a good feeling in the end. I am actually looking forward to moving on. Although I know I am going to miss the kids tremendously, and wonder what they are doing every day, I know they are in good hands with the new nurse. I will treasure the memories I made at Haddam Elementary and know I will always have a home there.

But I closed that chapter of my life today. I gave the keys over to the new nurse. I walked out and the kids and I said goodbye. I was a bit sad, but also a bit excited because I know what this means.

This means we are days away from going to Massachusetts. Tonight we did the final preparations to the house to get ready for the movers to start to pack tomorrow. Tomorrow morning they will be at our door armed with more paper and boxes than you can imagine. This will be the first move that Finley and Cainan will remember - I am anxious to see their reaction to the packing. I have tried to explain to them that their toys will be going in boxes, but just for a few days. And that we kept some special things out (Finley's pile included a sheet of stickers - she is a weirdo) to hold back that they can play with and take in the car. Mat will be at work tomorrow while the movers are here, so I will have to hold the curious kids back while the movers try to do their job. It should be interesting.

Tomorrow night I will go out with the nurses for the last time as well. At least the last time while I reside in Connecticut. I full expect to be back to join them at least 1-2 times a year for special dinners. Not only were they my co-workers, they are all my friends. Good friends. So that friendship isn't going anywhere. But we are going to our favorite location and enjoy each others company until we are forced to leave.

In other news (and a little more uplifting) Cainan saw the craniofacial specialist today for his post-operative appointment. He did bump his nose and I was concerned that the doctor might give us bad news. But the doctor felt confident that he didn't do any major damage. That the spot I am looking at might just be swelling and it should disappear on its own. Whew. Cainan still has a small bruise, but no other real evidence of the fall. The doctor released him back to full activity and also eating what he wants.

So we celebrated with a slushy and a straw. He is so funny.

We still have to be careful - of course. He can't go crazy and we want to keep the tripping to a minimum. But his chance for more damage has past, so we are happy. He still cannot submerge in a pool, but he can wade in a pool and get wet in the tub. Little progresses. By the end of the full 6 weeks, he will be completely back to routine - just in time for school.

We were grateful for the good report. They took more pictures and we won't have to go back for a year. We know more work is ahead of us for his nose, but we are hoping we can hold off until his next scheduled surgery when he is around 10 years old. We are fine taking a break for 5 years. Let's hope it works out that well.