is that blue sky?

 

We got so much more snow last night!  I don't know how I'm going to manage getting down the sidewalk to the car to go to PT, but it won't help worrying about it.  But shh, tell my body that.  ugh.

I'd like to say I'm glad to be getting out of the house, ha.  I would also like to say I am making progress by leaps and bounds, but more like inches and hopes.  I won't be publishing this post until after PT, because I'm sure you'll all want a run down of how it goes.  

Remembering the feeling of when I absolutely first tried to take steps without the walker, and how it is now, yes, there is progress.  When I stand up and look at the large expanse of flooring I need to navigate to get to the hallway, I still hesitate, get my bearings, say a prayer, and start in.  Sometimes my left foot drags along, sometimes I get some good steps, but I still rely heavily on the cane.  I can stand on my feet without support and swivel around and get things, but to take actual steps, I need it still.  

Anyway.  Sonja was here yesterday with baby Kaia, and I got to hold her a few times.  She is a strong baby, and not easy to get to sleep, as she is so aware and interested in everything.  She is funny and the way she just scans over everything she sees, like she's taking inventory...she is also scooching and rolling over.    

This is Maeve, playing outside...they live near Lake Ontario, so they got a bit of snow!  

Auntie Camille and baby Kaia...it was just yesterday Cam was a baby like that...

Now it is evening, and I've been to P.T.  (The sidewalk was nice and clear, thanks to Paul, but it was still hard to navigate! ) I walked in, and Steve the therapist looked at me with utter disapproval. I was dragging and limping and hopping... Let's do something different today, he said.  So.  He had me walk without the cane, with a belt thing that he could hold onto, as he walked behind me and said things like lift those knees up higher!  Take big steps, you won't fall!  Walk faster!  Stay in the middle of the hallway!  Don't swing your arms, just walk!  It really worked.  I was able to walk.  Full disclosure:  my knee did buckle a few random times, but I didn't fall.  He said it just happens, and I can catch myself.  He gave the cane back, and had me walk taking bigger steps and doing heel to toe, and it was much better.  

I did all the regular exercises, and a new one, which was kind of hilarious, something out of my bad dreams:  a low reclining board like the leg press, but lower...where you push against your foot, using your body weight.  Getting on and off it were a middle aged fat lady's nightmare.  The sad part though was that I couldn't wait to tell Cheryl.  

We went to visit Cheryl after PT.  Paul snow blowed their driveway while I visited.  Cheryl isn't doing so well, but when I held her hands and told her I love her, she said, I love you too.  Then I told her she was my favorite person in the whole world, and she said something I couldn't understand.  She has some confusion, due to medical issues.  My heart.  

And.  that's all I have to say today.  Pray for Cheryl, that she doesn't suffer, and that God finishes His work in her, and that her husband is strengthened in his faith, and is able to endure these days.