Paul's Update - 03/04/07

Dear Friends:

I started out on Saturday morning to go to South Carolina only to realize that I left my camera in Carl's truck. I went to Paul's house to get it and got there in time to see Paul working on the floor mat in the kitchen. Tabby was arm wrestling with Paul, he was trying to push her arm to the floor with his left hand. He was pushing really hard and was able to push her arm all the way down. It seems like it should be easy but Tabby is pretty strong. After that Tabby got Paul to do some sit ups ... not just crunches ... all the way up sit ups. She had him hold onto her hands and pull himself up to a sitting position on the mat. He did that about four times. It took a lot of encouragement since he really didn't want to do it but Tabby promised him a kiss each time he got all the way up (he seemed to like that!!). Before I left I told Paul I was going to visit Nana & Aunt Ann Z and asked him if he wanted to say anything to them. He nodded yes and Tabby asked him what he wanted to say. He shook his head "no" and then said "I ... don't ... know". Wow ... it is apparent that he WANTS to say things but he doesn't know what to say! I believe he will be able to soon though ... he is making so much progress!! Sunday I went to church with my sister and then came home to my mother's house for lunch. The plan was to go out for dinner later in the evening with John (Ann's husband) so we ate a light lunch. I got a picture from Carl of Paul sitting on the new futon that Tabby put in the bedroom. Paul didn't want to get in bed after he went to the bathroom so Dad had him sit on the futon. He seemed to enjoy that. Later in the evening Dad told Paul that I was away but he could talk to me on the phone. Paul shook his head "no" so Dad said I'll call and you can talk to her. He called me on the cell phone and I talked to Paul. He said "Hello" ... and I asked him if he had a good day (Carl said he shook his head each time I asked him something) finally he repeated "I had ... good day" I told him "I love you" and he said "Love you". Then he said "Are you awake?" and I asked him what he said ... he repeated "are you awake?". I didn't understand it but when Carl told Tabby that he said that she was wondering if maybe what he REALLY said was "are you AWAY?" That makes more sense and maybe he really DID say that!! We really had a nice talk on the phone and at the end I told him to give the phone back to Dad ... which he did! It is hard to be away ... especially since he is doing so well. He is in the BEST hands though! Today at church I was reminded that we are running a "marathon" ... we are running the course that was set for us. We didn't chose this but we must run with diligence and be ready for a long journey. We get refreshment along the way ... a marathon has "water stations" where the runner gets refreshment. Our friends and family have been "refreshment" for us. Your prayers are "refreshment" ... they get us to our next station. Anyway ... thanks for your continued refreshment ... and encouragement.

Love & Hugs, Lynne & Carl