Hey-ya, Hey-ya, My husband's back!

Today was a day I have been praying for ever since Gabe's accident. Last night when I left the hospital to go to my hotel, I was feeling very discouraged. Gabe hadn't really acknowledged me the last few days, and I was starting to fear that maybe through the surgery he had forgotten who I was. All of those fears melted away when I walked into his room this morning. He was surrounded by 3 nurses who were teaching him to talk through his trache. As I came in the room they asked who I was. When I replied that I was his wife, my dear husbands arms flew wide open and pulled me into him in the biggest hug I've had from him in quite a while. As I straightened back up to look at him he covered his trachea and in a voice similar to that of Darth Vader's, he said "I love you." I could have done cartwheels right then and there (if I knew how to do a cart wheel). ; )

I ended up sitting/standing by his bed all day long holding his hand. When I would try to lay his hand back down so that he could sleep, he would promptly wake up and put my hand back in his. At one point today I was cleaning his face and he looked at me with some sort of new understanding in his eyes as he smiled up at me. It was the first time I'd seen him smile in weeks, and it felt like the smile I saw the first time we met. I don't know what he has been dreaming about the last few days, or even if he dreams. But I do know that the look in his eyes is new. It's filled with love and admiration and a newness that excites me and leaves me feeling optimistic about his and my future. I know this experience has changed/is changing Gabe, and I have a good feeling that something good is bound to come from it.

The doctors are wanting to move Gabe onto the rehabilitation floor after the weekend to see how ready he is. I have a feeling he's going to be running circles around those doctors in no time. Today someone came in from physical therapy, and as soon as they introduced themselves Gabe sat straight up in bed to show him that he was ready to work.

The girls called tonight and I was able to put them on speaker phone so they could talk to their daddy. He was so happy to hear from them. He uses some of the little bit of sign language we taught Tori when she was a baby. He says thank you and I love you, and tonight when our little TT got on the phone he continuously blew her kisses into the phone over and over again...to which Tori exuberantly replied...MMMMUUUUAAAHHH!!

I am so blessed to have my mom and sisters taking time out of their already busy lives to care for my girls. I told one of my sisters the other night that I can tell how much they love me because of the way they show love to my daughters. I know that without them it wouldn't be possible for me to be here to help support Gabe. I am so appreciative of their unselfish sacrifices that they make for our family. They have been such a strength for me and I thank them for helping make this time a little more bearable.

Every day I am humbled at the sweet Christ-like gestures people show to my family. They have been such examples to me in my life. Everyone has helped us out in their own unique ways...from bringing Popsicles and books to the girls, to helping mow our lawn, to bringing my family dinners, to making a quilt for Gabe, to buoying me up with positivity and prayer. I have learned that there is so much healing power involved in the friendship that others offer. I'm so appreciative of the friends and family that we have who share their talents and love with us in our time of need. We love you all and are forever indebted to your kindness and generosity. Thank you!!