Family Dinner

First time in three months we could all (minus Alison) sit around the family table together for a meal. Made me a little weepy. Funny how such a simple thing can mean so much. We had to forgo the planned steak BBQ because of a rain storm, so ended up with a simple spaghetti dinner. Nobody seemed to mind. It felt like just a regular meal used to feel before all this happened, which is just what we needed. Don't worry--those steaks aren't going to be wasted! We'll be having that BBQ as soon as the weather cooperates.

Neil's trip home was marred slightly by an upset stomach. It was tough to see him under the weather on such an otherwise happy day, but he still enjoyed showing off his new speaking skills for his speech therapist and his doctor before we left. He got the thrilled responses we had expected.

Because he wasn't feeling well, Neil rested and napped a bit, but we did spend some time going through the large basket of get-well wishes we have received since his accident. The stack is pretty big, so we've only gotten through about 2/3 of the pile, but Neil was fascinated by the outpouring of love and prayers from so many people. I've shared many of these cards and letters with him previously, but with his memory issues, it was like the first time he's heard them. He liked identifying the names of kids from school and work that he knew, but enjoyed (and marveled) at the messages from people he didn't know--associates of Scott's from work, neighbors we haven't met yet, and friends from Scott's and my childhoods. There are even a couple of anonymous notes. I asked Neil if he felt like a celebrity and he said he did.

I was glad he felt appreciated because it kind of made up for the fact that the therapy cat didn't play her part as rehearsed. After giving him a few sniffs, she jumped on his lap and licked his hand. We were thrilled at the initial reception. But she snubbed him for the rest of the day. It may have been because she didn't recognize his voice. He called to her like he used to, but his voice isn't Neil's voice yet. We reminded him that she is, after all, a cat. And cats are not like dogs. She will surely be snuggling with him soon, but it has to be when she's ready. She just better be ready tomorrow!