Michael and Shelli...& now Kailey and Jake too!

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

MISSISSIPPI TRIP for family and celebration of life MARCH 2021

Going from Houston to Jackson with my wife and our ten year old son, Jake, for my first flight since night of my traumatic brain injury skull fracture accident about two and a half years ago and getting out like this was great. The wife was near me for both flights, but I know nothing from myself for the first one as I was unconscious. We were able to pack light on this trip. No wheelchair or other therapy/medical things were needed or brought except for a left ankle brace with walking stick, both to help prevent falls when moving around, some medicines and a CPAP machine to help with sleep apnea caused by neurological sensory issues from my brain injury. Also because of my injury, I couldn't safely drive this weekend. So I simply sat all buckled in for safety. No matter if it was the plane, car, or side by side as another was my driver. This was an extremely different for me time over all the decades of my life of being raised in and having visited Mississippi quite often that I spent my entire time not touching a steering wheel or pedals. Safety First is the key for myself, those with me and anyone around me. Most people can't safely drive from a flight deck. I'm not close to reaching that, but I can't safely drive from the driver's seat or other; yet.

After we safely arrived, into our hotel for a night's sleep, we awoke to meet at a restaurant with some more family for a great big brunch together followed immediately by the most all family together Memorial service for Grandma Then, to finish this day, we gathered to visit by exchanging memories and celebrate all our lives across all our generations. Here are some pictures of the fun we had together.

Aunt Susan, part of the sardine supplier duo , for the deep pass.

Jake with his Mississippi outdoors and distant cousin buddy, Brody.

Slow movements, safe distances and everyone always watching everything kept everyone safe. We all may not have left in perfect health but that's simply because we were that way when we got there.

Uncle Bill hugging with Jake.

My son driving my wife, his mommy.

Jake safely driving a as a Granddaddy of his, Peepaw, rides.

Jake loved keeping on keeping on with driving, and I loved that he did so with sharing and safely in all ways and at all times.

Great picture of all the family there as our day together wrapped up.

Dad helped us a lot, especially by driving us around with our options of having both candy breathe mints, he bought. or cans of sardines, that he happened to have just been given, in his car. We did appreciate the offers but just accepted only one of those. Of course, TSA wouldn't have let me bring any one of the knives of mine that have a can opener with me in our carryon suitcase or my pocket. So no sardines for many many reasons, and there we were as he took us to the airport so everyone of us still there could head to our houses Sunday evening. Those sardines that were given to him as his treat, made him happy , so with him to his house in Alabama the cans all went to get emptied out, but not wasted at all.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Living Day

Today is day 560 since my accident which I am now designating my living day. I have no surgeries scheduled or expected. I am almost 110% physically recovered. Here are inspirational words I've found and used to keep me positive and focused on my hard work to get there!