Hello! I hope your summer has started off really well! We have been having some really great days!

My 3rd child turned 16, on June 15. All the plans I had for having a big blow out sweet 16, all came crashing down in 2017. 😪 But, I am incredibly thankful for children who are strong in their own right and don’t need those big celebrations to know and feel loved.

So Kiersten had a friend over and with my youngest daughter, Arianne, we played cards in the garage. They played some other garage games and we had cake, on her birthday. She didn’t have to make it, and she didn’t have to throw 2 cakes away before we could eat them. She has had a few tough birthday years as we continue to adjust to the “new” life.

BUT, not this year. 😃 Here is a picture of my beautiful girl from her day.

A few days before K’s birthday, the company that provides therapy services for me at home, invited my family to a baseball game.

It was a beautiful evening. Seeing other families going through life with difficult situations, was beautiful. I didn’t talk a ton. So many obstacles for me, but I was really just enjoying the weather, the baseball game and a beer.

Our oldest son played travel baseball so I kinda miss watching games. There is just something comforting about being out and watching a game.

Last week was very full and fun! So, this week feels less than…but, it really has been great! The days of tiredness after such an eventful week is no long such a hard hit. I may need an extra brain break, or sensory rest, but it doesn’t knock me down like it used to.

What really pushed this update, was the funny thought I had this week during an evaluation in OT, occupational therapy, that carried through yesterday morning. For a measurement of arm movement I stood up to, hopefully, assist in the movement of my arm behind by back. When the measurement had been taken my OT said, you can sit if you want. I said No thank you. I’m a person who stands.

What a funny thing to say. We had a good chuckle about it and continued the evaluation.

Then yesterday, while I was standing, brushing my teeth, I looked down at my feet and was struck by the fact that I was standing.😃 “I’m a person who stands”.

Which leads me to my “cool people belt” story. I’m not sure if I’ve shared this or not. When I was an Inpatient laying in bed, not really understanding why I was in the hospital, I remember only the “cool” walking people got the walking belts. Being in a rehabilitation hospital, a lot of people were fall risks one way or another, so, it felt like everyone was “cooler” than me.

So, today I am left giggling at these milestones of healing. I get to wear, proudly😉, my own “cool people” belt AND I’m a person who stands. 🤣

♡TeamGavrilides ♡TBI Survivor ♡Faith to walk in the middle ♡Seed of Hope