September, that back to school month, has flown by for us, as we have three children back to school, each in a different school.  Lydia is at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, and loving it!  Her specialized educational needs are met in partnership with the school and her private rehabilitation team.  This means that she continues to receive Speech Language Therapy,  Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy, in addition to being enrolled in courses at Rockway.  Her daily attendance at Rockway is supported by a private Rehabilitative Certified Teacher or a Rehabilitation Support Worker.  This partnership has worked very well, with strong communication between the Rockway and Therapy teams.  We are so delighted for the progress that "back to school" means for Lydia.

Lydia has been very tired, with all of the cognitive strain that school puts on her.  She needs rest, and once again, night time rest is interrupted; her mind processes and won't shut down to allow her to rest.  She has two different capacities, and personalities: one that is positive, joyful and lively, when she is rested, and the other that is overwhelmed, despairing and challenged to do even small simple things, when she is tired.  Please pray for restorative rest each night.

 

We have acknowledged many times that this journey is bittersweet: joy and sorrow are intermingled.  We are in a season of sorrow that is sparked by Lydia's awareness of all that she has lost.  She knows what she used to be able to do, and grieves that her life is so hard now - a daily struggle to relearn, and learn anew. 
Her recovery and healing continued over the summer, but she still has difficulty with coordination and balance;  her gait is unsteady, and learning to run has proven to be very challenging.  Remarkable improvement is noticeable in her fine motor skills.  She is able to print and the tremor in her hand is considerably less.  Progress is being made, just at a slower pace than previously.

When someone dies, there are grieving rituals, and time given to mourn.  When someone suffers a significant loss, or disability, there is no time allotted to grieve.  Life continues. 

More than ever, Christ is the solid rock on which we stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.  We give to Him the weighty cares of this journey.  We ask Him to provide for us, and take care of us, day by day. 
James and I are feeling the strains of caregiving: the physical fatigue, and the emotional weightiness of this present journey.  And yet, we are grateful, that we can hold one another, and acknowledge the pain together.  We grieve and pray together.  We thank God that he has knit our hearts closely together. 
We hold to the promises of scripture, that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6) and that He will strengthen us and help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand (Is 41:10).
Sometimes we recite Isaiah 43, inserting our names, and holding to the hope that scripture brings.
1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, (Lydia),
    he who formed you, (Lydia):
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

^{Your continued prayers and support are appreciated as we walk, upheld, in faith.}