1. My mother-in-law. Jude stayed in Buffalo with me and took turns sitting by Sam's bedside so I could get breaks (and some necessary sleep). I wouldn't have made it through those ten days in the hospital without her!
2. Kevin Guest House. We'd just been looking for an affordable place to sleep and shower, but this turned out to be so much more. I hadn't realized, until I was in the middle of it, how much difference it made to have the support of a house to go to, with people to talk to, and a kitchen full of food. So much better than an empty, impersonal hotel room. The staff and other guests there were wonderful! I wish I had oodles of money to donate to their very worthy cause.
3. Naomi. I was seven months pregnant with her at the time. Whenever one of us would start to get discouraged or depressed, we'd talk about the baby. My burgeoning belly was a constant reminder to Sam of why he needed to hurry and recover. She brought us so much joy and hope through those long days.
4. Sam. He never gave up. He fought and struggled and pushed himself. He was in pain, he was sick, he was medicated, it was hard and he got discouraged. But he never gave up. He knew Naomi and I needed him, and he got better for us.
A year later, Sam's still recovering. He still sometimes loses his balance; he still has pain; his facial nerve and muscles are still healing; and he will probably never again hear out of his left ear. But he doesn't give up. He focuses on what he can do. He works to be the best husband, father, and human being possible. One year ago, he was unconscious on an operating room table and he was facing a long road to even get to the point where he would be able to walk on his own; today, he got up at the crack of dawn to participate in a live fire training with the VFA.
I sure love this man!
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