Learning From The Tough Stuff

First of all, I want to give an update a few things. The "For What It's Worth" FRIEDA FANS sale is a go for Saturday. The weather looks like it's supposed to be fine, so please do come and join us! Thank you in advance to all of you who have written to me and offered donations of items. They are most welcome and so appreciated. There is no one that I know that loves a good ol' yard sale like Frieda Hudson. She's going to be so mad that she missed it! I am sure of that.
Frieda is coming along more each day. Her spirit is good, she's anxious to take on the next levels of healing and she wants to come home. In order to come home, she is perfectly aware that she's got a lot of hard work ahead of her. We talked about it today in terms of physical pain, breaking through barriers of healing and basically how she feels about it all. We've had bouts of frustration, that turn quickly into humor. I think that will be what gets Frieda through this as well. We all know about her strong will, strong spirit and determination...lest we forget her sense of humor. Frieda has an incredible ability to laugh at situations and she knows the times to be serious, yet there are the times that she gives "those looks" or makes a gesture with a laugh or grin. That's "the essence of Frieda."
One of the occupational guys was there today. He's worked with Frieda actually since she was in ICU. She seems to like him and was willing to do the things he asked. (God forbid she didn't like him! I'd have to feel REALLY sorry for him!) We worked together on her shoulders, her right arm and hand. She is experiencing pain in her hand and wrist, so the fingers, etc. were manipulated. Frieda toughed it out and kept her sense of humor, even when it was painful. She was focused and (here's that word again) determined. I have noticed that she is speaking more clearly and more strong. Her vocabulary is popping back in the least expected ways and in the least expected conversations. We discussed a lot of friends today. I have tried to tell her every name of every person who has sent an email, made a call to me or sent something to her through me. Mentioning those names have led to conversations with lots of "remember whens" peppered all through. It's really amazing how much she does remember. And don't think I'm taking HER word for it! (She might be inclined to tell me a little "porky" if she thought she could pull if off! Frieda's not going to let you see her sweat in that department!) But, seriously, although there are things she has to think on for a minute, generally things have come right back to her. I have quizzed her and actually tried to trip her up on a couple of things and basically got "the look." Wednesday night, Wayne and I were setting up a sting operation to "spring" Frieda from the hospital. She was totally involved in these fantasy plans we were making. I had said that since Wayne is using a wheelchair while at the hospital, (it's too big a hospital for him to get around on crutches), we would let him run interference for us while I unhooked Frieda's bed and we whisked her out of the building. We had no plans on what we'd do after we escaped, but right in the midst of the conversation about Wayne being the distraction, Frieda starts laughing and blurts out "That's your responsibility!" We cracked up. So see? She's with it. Words might come slowly, with some thought and delay, but they're in there. It's evident every day that she's improving.
Folks, I have driven that road to Greenville over and over again thanking God for answering our prayers. We petitioned God to spare Frieda. We pleaded with God and said "not yet!" Our prayers were answered. I hope we can all look at this situation at a deeper level. I hope we can understand the power...yes POWER of prayer and the strength in numbers of those of us who have been touched by Frieda Hudson. She is one person who has touched so many. Imagine what we can do if we all pray for EACH OTHER and we're not asking for "miracles." Who knows what a miracle might be from one person to another. I know that events generally have a cause and an effect. So, Frieda has a stroke. We're all terrified. We pray. We reach out. Frieda survives. Our prayers were answered. I don't think that God so much asks us to keep thanking Him profusely for the same blessing again and again. It occurred to me while driving home this afternoon that perhaps God might just want us to share that same grace and power of the blessing we received with others, thus keeping "the blessing alive" and spreading it far and wide. Does that not make us all "ministers" of some fashion? If we share what we have learned from each other, if we help another in pain, if we extend just a smile to someone who needs it in the grocery, we have "ministered." And that's a beautiful thing. Faith enables us to do things we were sure we could never do. Perhaps we should look at even the tiniest miracles in our lives and be thankful for those as well.
As a result of FRIEDA'S stroke, I feel stronger somehow. I feel blessed and most of all I have seen the continuation of miracles as a result of this stroke. I have met such wonderful people in my own county. I have met wonderful caregivers who are incredibly dedicated to their jobs and truly do care about our loved one. There have been bountiful blessings that I have seen "as a result of" one near tragedy. That too is a part of "the miracle."
We will see you on Saturday and again, thank you all for the love, prayers and continued support. It has renewed my faith in mankind, it has allowed me to have peace, at a time in my life when I thought there could be none and I know that Frieda's work is far from finished. She has a good ways ahead in terms of rehabilitation, but, I know we are learning and will continue to learn from this in every step of way.
Thanks for reading and spending some time with me and my thoughts. It means so much.
My friend and neighbor Johanne Pryor is having surgery on her shoulder, so Jo, I'll be sending good energy and prayers to you too! We're thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

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