Dearest Rachel – I’ve gotten accustomed to the gym I go to these days to the point where I think I could scribble up the playlist I hear as I walk uphill for an hour. Maybe not completely, and certainly not in order, but there are a number of specific songs I’m guaranteed to hearContinue reading “Ready (Already) For the Weekend”
Tag Archives: recovery
The Long Road Back to Normal
Dearest Rachel – No, I’m not talking about taking a road trip back to our old collegiate stomping grounds. Apart from a meal at Avanti’s, there’s little reason to do so (and even that is hardly compelling, given the distance and time to get there and back. It violates all of my rules regarding travelContinue reading “The Long Road Back to Normal”
Story Arc
Dearest Rachel – It would amuse me no end for some theorist channel to happen across this sheaf of letters, read a whole bunch of them over your shoulder, and try to make sense out of them as if they were the components of an ARG or an extended literary work. Applying the tropes ofContinue reading “Story Arc”
The Price of Recovery
Dearest Rachel – Well, as much as I may have complained yesterday that it wasn’t instantaneous, my foot certainly feels much better this morning. I can still feel a slight nagging if I try to wiggle my big toe, and there’s a noticeable twinge if I put too much weight on the meaty part ofContinue reading “The Price of Recovery”
Deadlines and Promises
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure I’ve mentioned it over the past couple of years worth of letters, but you’ll remember either way how it was a running joke within our little family that the three of us always got the same amount of cold when it swept through the house; we just got it overContinue reading “Deadlines and Promises”
Am I Really Okay?
Dearest Rachel – You already know I started writing these letters to you to try and remember this or that incident in our lives together and attempt to commit them to paper (or at least pixels) before they were erased from mind and memory like words written in the sand on a tide-washed beach. However,Continue reading “Am I Really Okay?”
Awake, But Not Eager
Dearest Rachel – After an afternoon spent walking with Lars (and these afternoons are getting longer; for the last three weeks, we’ve gone under the tunnels below the Edens Expressway, and ventured to the next major street the preserve path takes us, adding nearly a full mile to our customary route) and an evening spentContinue reading “Awake, But Not Eager”
Am I Really Doing Well?
Dearest Rachel – One of the side effects of this new habit of mine of daily exercise is the paradoxical fact that I wake up more sore than when I went to bed. One of the very points of sleep is to let your body rest and heal itself, so that by morning, you shouldContinue reading “Am I Really Doing Well?”
Subic Bay
Dearest Rachel – The way this itinerary works, one might think that, for each country we visit, we’re required to stop in at least two locations, which have to be as close together as possible. It doesn’t seem to be absolutely necessary that it be so; we can cover a reasonable distance (I was goingContinue reading “Subic Bay”
A Future on This Planet
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t exactly breaking news, as far as today or yesterday goes; it’s been gradually getting to this point over time (albeit a relatively brief period of time). But I submit it to you as further proof of Dad’s improvement with regards to his health; when I’m visiting him, he likes toContinue reading “A Future on This Planet”
Exhausted by Everything
Dearest Rachel – For all that Dad insists that he’s “ready to go,” and he’s “so weak,” especially after being put through his paces in terms of exercise, the fact remains that he goes through with them and does them without complaint. Well, without much complaint, anyway; the bedsores on his backside, while slowly diminishing,Continue reading “Exhausted by Everything”
And There Will Be Joy!
Dearest Rachel – I know that it was one of our favorite films, but do you remember the last words of the King of Florin? It’s a fairly obscure line in the midst of a scene that memorable for other reasons, but let me see if I can’t refresh your memory (there’s a lot going onContinue reading “And There Will Be Joy!”
Given the Chair
Dearest Rachel – For dad, progress continues apace. Yesterday morning, for whatever reason, he was uncomfortable with just lying in his bed, and was begging Mom to summon the nurses to help him to sit up, if just for a few minutes. Naturally, we considered this to be wonderful news, although his insistent request seemed aContinue reading “Given the Chair”
On Speaking Terms
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that this morning, my mother – who had gone home last night to actually sleep in her own bed, at the urging of pretty much everyone except possibly Dad himself – got a call at about seven in the morning, after sleeping for some ten hours straight. It was fromContinue reading “On Speaking Terms”
Hope Spot
Dearest Rachel – It’s happening again, honey. He’s gone through a low ebb where it basically looks like only a matter of time. And yes, I realize it’s only “a matter of time” for all of us before we join you and everybody else in the hereafter. You know what I mean – at a certain point, there’sContinue reading “Hope Spot”
Skin for Skin
Dearest Rachel – You probably remember that I try to read a few Bible chapters each day – one from Proverbs (corresponding to the day of the month for easy reference, which allows me to skip yours as often as not), one Psalm (which is a little harder to keep track of), and three othersContinue reading “Skin for Skin”
from Rachel: Surveying Ancient Ruins
Please read Ezekiel 18 in its entirety. Write a one-sentence synopsis of this Old Testament chapter. “God explains to the people of Israel that He holds each person accountable for their own sins alone – no one else’s – and He desires that all should repent and be saved” Write your own basic outline ofContinue reading “from Rachel: Surveying Ancient Ruins”
Waking Up to Reality
Dearest Rachel – I suppose today is one more reminder that I made the right decision in going straight home, rather than negotiate a day or two extra in Tokyo. I probably should also be grateful for the fact that my body managed to hold it together until we were just about on our wayContinue reading “Waking Up to Reality”
Dreams of Netless Flight
Dearest Rachel – Well, we made it home. In fact, we landed at O’Hare only about an hour after we took off from Narita – all that time change, stuff you know. That, in fact, was one of the reasons why I’d decided to stay home today from the ‘office’: it was basically assumed byContinue reading “Dreams of Netless Flight”
Unwell
Dearest Rachel – I had a topic prepared to tell you about, based on something I did yesterday morning (and previously) and its ramifications, but the way I’m feeling right now, this is probably more… current. I can probably rework what I’d planned to write you to say ‘the other day’ rather than ‘yesterday’ whenContinue reading “Unwell”
They Say the Second Year’s the Hardest
Dearest Rachel – Now that it’s over, I’m not so sure it’s true. I was told, back when I was going through the GriefShare group counseling program, that the first year without you wouldn’t actually be the worst, since one spends a good portion of it just… numb from the shock of it all, especiallyContinue reading “They Say the Second Year’s the Hardest”
Signposts and Detours on the Road to Recovery
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that it was as regular as clockwork, but you should remember how, more or less once a year, I would come down with a cold that was so bad (for one day, at least) that I would feel like I ought to be informing my mates that my kangarooContinue reading “Signposts and Detours on the Road to Recovery”
Walking the Fine, Fine Line
There’s fine, fine lineBetween love… and a waste of your time “There’ s A Fine, Fine Line,” sung by Kate Monster (Stephanie D’Abruzzo) in Avenue Q Dearest Rachel – Well, I got what I expected to out of yesterday’s adventure. I didn’t actually have a lunch date (in fact, I didn’t have lunch there atContinue reading “Walking the Fine, Fine Line”
Wandering Through the Aftermath
Dearest Rachel – The breeze is cool this morning as I step outside, or at least, it’s cool for the month of August. The sun, while exulting in its complete dominance of a cloudless sky, and intense enough that I need to maintain a near-permanent squint as I make my way east across shadeless sectionsContinue reading “Wandering Through the Aftermath”
Birdsong and Burglar Lights
Dearest Rachel – It’s still quite dark when I’m woken up by the sound of the birds in our backyard yelling at each other to stay out of their territory. It’s a welcome sign of spring, to be sure, but there are sometimes when I wish it wouldn’t be so loud so early. Don’t knowContinue reading “Birdsong and Burglar Lights”
Officially Cleared
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it’s a sign of the times to say something along the lines of how there’s nothing so relieving to see than a chance to rejoin society… because your Covid test came back negative. I’ve made no secret of the fact that Daniel is noon too keen about the Covid vaccineContinue reading “Officially Cleared”
The Quiet of a Sunday Morning
Dearest Rachel – I know the number of letters that I’ve written you have started to drop off since my return from overseas. Part of that is because I don’t consider things here to be all that interesting (or unfamiliar to you), and therefore worthy of comment. Part of it is because there are thingsContinue reading “The Quiet of a Sunday Morning”
Ringing Off the Hook
Dearest Rachel – Even as I was being escorted off the ship, I acknowledged to my host that, “well, as long as there is Internet where I’m going, I think I’ll be okay.” And so far, what events there have been succeeding that have pretty much borne that out. My Bible app, which requires anContinue reading “Ringing Off the Hook”
I Can’t Send You Anything
Dearest Rachel – I guess it’s a bit of good news that I managed to sleep straight through last night. I sacked myself in just before before midnight (yes I realize that’s five p.m. ‘our’ time, but I’m getting used to the time zone here), and didn’t wake up until almost half past nine. IContinue reading “I Can’t Send You Anything”
With or Without the Slash
Dearest Rachel – I guess the day has yet to come; I still see the twenty-third of each month as another milestone. It has now been eight months since the accident. Two-thirds of a year. With or without the slash, the numbers two and three have significance today. Of course, I know that others haveContinue reading “With or Without the Slash”
Group Therapy
Dearest Rachel – It’s surprising to consider how busy my weekends are, especially when I’m getting questions from strangers about whether or not I’m free, and I have to answer ‘well, no, not really.’ Today has been a little bit more than usual, however. For what it’s worth, Pastor Joel seems to think I’m readyContinue reading “Group Therapy”
Music For Staring at the Axe
Dearest Rachel – Eleven years ago tomorrow, you went in for surgery to remove a tumor from your brain. At the time, we didn’t know what was going to happen to you; the fact that it was not within the brain was a relatively good sign, and the doctor was fairly certain it would turnContinue reading “Music For Staring at the Axe”
By A Different Name
Dearest Rachel – Well, color me shocked. I had been informed months ago by the highest authority (which is to say, the local newspaper) that our village wouldn’t be holding Frontier Days over the July 4th holiday. So, when I saw the installation at Melas Park the other day, I naturally assumed that the nextContinue reading “By A Different Name”
from Rachel: Fact/Fate/Faith Labels
My fact label: I am a “brain surgery survivor” My fate label: I am “scarred, vision-impaired, weaker in both body and mind” My faith label: I am “healed, restored, blessed, protected, loved” My fact label bolsters my faith. “I would like to think I loved God and valued and appreciated life sufficiently for my firstContinue reading “from Rachel: Fact/Fate/Faith Labels”
Halfway Through the Woods
Dearest Rachel – Sometimes people leave youHalfway through the wood.Others may deceive you.You decide what’s good.You decide alone.But no one is alone. “No One Is Alone” from Into The Woods The song sprang to my head early this morning, as I tried to figure out what Chompers wanted at what even I would consider toContinue reading “Halfway Through the Woods”
What is “All Right” Anymore?
Dear Rachel – I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it to you before in these letters, but mornings are just awful sometimes. Even when everything goes right. Chompers slept through the night – even letting me take a shower without waking up and whining, or worse, barking – and got everything out of his systemContinue reading “What is “All Right” Anymore?”
Chasing the Sandman
Dearest Rachel – Does it still count as sleep if, while your body lies there, recumbent in bed, your mind is spinning like tires stuck in the snow? Because I don’t know the answer; all I know is that I don’t want to get up yet. The girls came over last night, just to hangContinue reading “Chasing the Sandman”
Thoughts on Therapy
Dearest Rachel – So Daniel and I met with Pastor Scott last week. He reads these letters, so he doesn’t have to ask how I’m doing anymore. This, I’d say, was more for Daniel’s sake. To be honest, I think he needs to get out, and get involved with other people. It’s not something heContinue reading “Thoughts on Therapy”
Letters to Rachel 