Its the day after Thanksgiving and all through the house the people aren't stirring and fortunately, we have no mouse. Mark and Rich are sitting watching TV and I'm writing this as you can see. Well, that's it for the rhyme! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope all of you did too. We enjoyed dinner with my family and ate well and laughed more. The perfect recipe for any family get together. And, by the way, Mark's pies were great! I was very impressed with all he did to make them. He wound up standing for over an hour with just a short 10 minute break which was a new personal best. Way to go!
Today we slept in, hung around and went to a movie this afternoon and then out to eat. No shopping for us! We saw "The Blind Side" and it was wonderful. Best movie I've seen in years. It really could have been sappy, but it wasn't and Sandra Bullock was wonderful. I would highly recommend it for all ages. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend as much as we are. Here's to a wonderful holiday season ahead.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Things have been going rather normally...which is wonderful. Mark and Rich are both going to therapy in Tampa and we are settling in a bit. Mark goes to the hospital three days a week and for a couple of hours on Mondays. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he leaves early, packs a lunch and is off to "work". His therapies usually last until about three in the afternoon. Friday is a day off, so we have a nice three day weekend.
Rich has been doing his shoulder therapy at a location just down the street from the hospital and that makes it very convenient. In our off time, we have been exploring the area and finding new routes to our favorite spots. Today we drove over to visit my aunt for lunch and spent the afternoon just hanging out with her. It was fun and we hadn't seen her in a while. Naturallly, she had to introduce Mark to a number of her friends who knew all about him, and had them in their prayers. I must admit, they were all rather cute with him and he's always so good around older people.
Thursday we are having Thanksgiving at my cousin's daughter's home. Alison and Mark have become close since he's been here. She and her husband are always so happy to have lots of family around and we're looking forward to it. Mark is in charge of bringing the pumpkin pie and is planning on a cooking session here on Wednesday with his occupational therapist. We'll let you know how it turns out, but I can assure you that Mark will eat it regardless!!
November 11, 2009 VETERAN'S DAY
Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served and those serving now. Our gratitude goes out to you for all you have done on our behalf.
Mark was featured in a story this morning on the local news. The footage was taken about six months ago, but not used until today. Mark was amazed at the change he saw in himself in the time that passed since the video was done. I can tell you that his speech is much improved and he has become so much stronger. He has built up so much upper body strength that he could hardly get into his dress blue uniform jacket for the Marine Ball last weekend!
To see the story, go to the link below:
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=117502
Sunday, November 8, 2007
Today marks the second anniversary of the crash of UH-60L 88-26025. We ask that you take a moment to remember CPT Christian Skoglund, CW2 Davidangelo Alvarez, CPT Cartize Durham,
SRA Kenneth Hauprich, SSG Robert Rodgers and SSG Mark Spence and to pray for their families.
Mark was among the lucky to have survived. He has battled back to gain strength and independence once again. It has been a very long road and his journey will never truly be over. His life changed forever that day, as did all of ours. However, we are blessed to have him here and we appreciate each day God grants us much more so than before.
Over the last twenty-four months, many people have asked me "How did you do it?" I don't have an answer. You just "do it" whatever "it" may be. However, I think it is important to realize that through our journey we have met so many more families going through the same thing. Some of their situations are far more critical than even ours and the outcomes have not been as good.
Please remember these families today too, because although their sons and daughters survived their crashes, blasts, and attacks, they have lost their lives, as they knew them, for this country. And the fates of their families will never be the same. They will continue to care for and love their soldiers and sailors and do everything possible to bring them back. They never ask "how"; they just "do".
Bless you all for listening.