"Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need."
Today it has been a year since our med flight touched down in WA...home! Ben was going to be home for good and hopefully never going to go back to a hospital. We had been in a hospital for over a year and a half and it was time to come back. Ben was ready, I was ready.
Ben would be home, in a house. He would no longer have to be in a hospital bed, surrounded by white, bland hospital walls. He wouldn't have to endure anymore hospital food but now my cooking...hey it's not that bad! Ben would no longer have to sleep alone! I had never been able to spend the night with him in the hospital because of my injuries initially and also if I did I knew I would not be good for him the few days following. He could get up and go with me anywhere anytime. We had the freedom once home to get back to as much normalcy as we could but knowing that it was not what our normal used to be. No longer would Ben be alone.
I no longer had to stay in a seperate apartment, house, hotel anymore. I think in 1.5years I had slept in like 10 different beds in all the places that I was housed and I really longed for my bed. Now Ben hogs it all so I don't know which is better! Ha!
No longer would I have to go down two floors to do laundry or put quarters in a washing machine at the hotel. Awww, a kitchen! I actually got to unpack all of our things that had been in storage and bake and cook! These are little things but like Ben I no longer had to be alone.
Alot has happened this past year and alot has not happened. Although Ben's progress be slow, it is progress! Some may think that he has not accomplished that much since we have been home but I live with the man and boy has he accomplished! His memory has improved, his speech, stabily, walking, balancing, eating, function, interacting and so much more. In the brain injury world they say that the most progress comes in the first 6-12 months after injury...well this is not the case with Ben. The Lord has instilled in this man a determination to never quit, to be strong, to go up against anything that may be in his way! Ben at times has said he doesn't know how much longer he can do this and doesn't know how he can make it through another day but then always follows it with but I will fight on and I will beat this brain injury. He has a Healer on his side, he has an encourager and strengthener on his side...he has Jesus.
Ben and I never imagined that we would ever be where we are today but we are. No body ever does but they are going through trials too. We still have alot of questions and we both ask God why us. We are still human and still have to work with the pain, disappointments, hurt, shattered hearts and so many more deep, deep feeling and emotions. God has been faithful. God has been on our side. God has never left our side. God has healed. God is there when we were not. Bottom line in all of our anger, frustrations, lonliness, joy, love, craziness, guilt and all of it...HE IS THERE!
So, one year later we are home and the feeling is good. Ben and I are as happy as we can be right now. We have each other and we have love. I love Ben and he loves me...
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Love endures all things...
Today it has been a year since our med flight touched down in WA...home! Ben was going to be home for good and hopefully never going to go back to a hospital. We had been in a hospital for over a year and a half and it was time to come back. Ben was ready, I was ready.
Ben would be home, in a house. He would no longer have to be in a hospital bed, surrounded by white, bland hospital walls. He wouldn't have to endure anymore hospital food but now my cooking...hey it's not that bad! Ben would no longer have to sleep alone! I had never been able to spend the night with him in the hospital because of my injuries initially and also if I did I knew I would not be good for him the few days following. He could get up and go with me anywhere anytime. We had the freedom once home to get back to as much normalcy as we could but knowing that it was not what our normal used to be. No longer would Ben be alone.
I no longer had to stay in a seperate apartment, house, hotel anymore. I think in 1.5years I had slept in like 10 different beds in all the places that I was housed and I really longed for my bed. Now Ben hogs it all so I don't know which is better! Ha!
No longer would I have to go down two floors to do laundry or put quarters in a washing machine at the hotel. Awww, a kitchen! I actually got to unpack all of our things that had been in storage and bake and cook! These are little things but like Ben I no longer had to be alone.
Alot has happened this past year and alot has not happened. Although Ben's progress be slow, it is progress! Some may think that he has not accomplished that much since we have been home but I live with the man and boy has he accomplished! His memory has improved, his speech, stabily, walking, balancing, eating, function, interacting and so much more. In the brain injury world they say that the most progress comes in the first 6-12 months after injury...well this is not the case with Ben. The Lord has instilled in this man a determination to never quit, to be strong, to go up against anything that may be in his way! Ben at times has said he doesn't know how much longer he can do this and doesn't know how he can make it through another day but then always follows it with but I will fight on and I will beat this brain injury. He has a Healer on his side, he has an encourager and strengthener on his side...he has Jesus.
Ben and I never imagined that we would ever be where we are today but we are. No body ever does but they are going through trials too. We still have alot of questions and we both ask God why us. We are still human and still have to work with the pain, disappointments, hurt, shattered hearts and so many more deep, deep feeling and emotions. God has been faithful. God has been on our side. God has never left our side. God has healed. God is there when we were not. Bottom line in all of our anger, frustrations, lonliness, joy, love, craziness, guilt and all of it...HE IS THERE!
So, one year later we are home and the feeling is good. Ben and I are as happy as we can be right now. We have each other and we have love. I love Ben and he loves me...
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Love endures all things...
"{may 2011}
{april 2012}
**prayers again please. just 1.5 weeks after bens grandpa passed away his grandma went home to be with Jesus last night. when you have been married that long and so in love i am sure her heart missed him. please be praying for ben and his family during this difficult time of losing both amazing people.**
{april 2012}
**prayers again please. just 1.5 weeks after bens grandpa passed away his grandma went home to be with Jesus last night. when you have been married that long and so in love i am sure her heart missed him. please be praying for ben and his family during this difficult time of losing both amazing people.**
9 comments:
Beautiful post about clinging to Jesus in your time of need. He IS all that we need.
So sorry to hear about Ben's grandmother passing as well. So hard.
Laurel
OH, AMEN and AMEN, my Friend. I would feel a hole in my life had I lost my grandparents so close together. I will trust for peace and comfort for all concerned. You know, Katie, I think Ben has changed ALOT!! After all, he is doing quite a few chores to help you. There are some who don't have any injuries and don't do what Ben does. I love you, Marion
So much love!! This is truely inspiring :) i am very happy to see how united you two are. My prayers are with ben and his family, im sure his grandma and grandpa are reunited and looking down on such a beautiful family that you guys have. Best wishes, and a very speedy recovery for Ben!
-Mrs. Garcia
Ben has definitely progressed! And I'm so happy there is some normalcy back in your lives as a married couple. I remember that post last year...
Also, I am sorry to hear about Ben's grandparents, but I believe that her heart was ready-- at least that's what I think about when it comes to Elliot & I. I wouldn't want to be without him. So incredible how love works.
The love you two have for one another is amazing!
Love this post. I have been following your journey since the beginning and have been praying for you both!
I tried to comment earlier today, but my iphone froze before I could publish my comment. Here's what I said...
You two are so amazing and such an inspiration. Sad to hear about Ben's grandparents. Praying for peace and comfort.
You guys are just awesome.
Congrats...though that is such a woefully inadequate expression. You're in my prayers.
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