As the daylight hours start to shorten and the temperatures begin to lower, the indication of another season starting is upon us.

I always think of the beginning of fall as like a little kid who is begging to stay up late. “Just a little more time!” And then that kid proceeds to give us its all and put on a show full of beautiful colors and landscape all around, filling the orchards with apples and the fields with pumpkins.

Fall feels like a nice going away party for summer. “So long, it was great to see you! Can’t wait to see you again!” The trees coming out, all dressed up in their best, wearing shades of gold, red and orange. Sparkling in the sunshine. You can almost feel the pride in how they carry their beautifully decorated leaves for just a bit longer before eventually letting go of them to blanket the ground and prepare the way for the coming winter months.

Not surprisingly, the symbolic meaning of fall is connected to the idea of harvest and acknowledging the fruits of work from the preceding months. For many cultures, it’s a time to give thanks, gather with loved ones and reflect on personal growth.

***

Mike has definitely “turned the corner”, albeit very slowly, purposefully and carefully. Reflection on the last five months brings a lot of gratitude, emotion and pride for us both.

From lying in a hospital bed at Albany Med, not even able to sit up on his own or stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.

His left side completely paralyzed.

The bleed on his brain still of concern as to its lasting effect.

His prognosis basically unknown as it was “too early to tell” the exact damage and deficits he would be left with.

Then, transferring to Sunnyview three weeks later and seeing glimmers of hope materializing, small but voluntary movements of his left leg, some vision restoration and overall better cognition and speech.

Gradually having more control over sitting up and staying awake longer. Holding conversations and even being able to text a bit.

And finally, being discharged home and slowly regaining motor function over the summer months. At first, being completely dependent on others for everything. His son, Mike, Jr., his main caregiver those first few weeks home doing the heavy lifting, so to speak.

June and July arriving so quickly and he’s starting to get significant movement and feeling back and participating in his transfers and self-care.

And then heading into August and, now, with the private therapist on board, walking under his own power more than sitting in the wheelchair.

Now, in the month of September, Mike has been cleared to walk around the house on his own with the hemi walker. He is able to be home alone (which makes me nervous but it’s a necessity at this point).

Mike, Jr. is back to work and is living away from home now. I leave every day at 8:30 for work. Our morning routine has evolved to getting Mike up with me at 6:30, making sure he’s ready for the day with breakfast and typical morning duties before I head out. Some mornings, there’s transportation that comes to pick Mike up for therapy. Other mornings, the private therapist will be there to work with him. It’s challenging for sure and this is our first full week navigating it, so please pray for things to go well.

Today, I have the day off to take Mike to a very important eye appointment. We are pretty sure he has a field cut, which is permanent vision loss of his left eye, specifically the peripheral vision. Sigh.

Yesterday, as we drove home from church, we chatted about how perfect the weather has been for hiking. Mike said, “Let’s go to Prospect Mountain today. I want to climb the stairs at the trailhead and cross the bridge over the highway, then hike a bit of the first 10 to 20 feet or so.” At first, I said, “Not today, honey.” I had a lot planned to get done for the weekend with house chores and meal prepping. But then I thought how much he misses hiking and feeling that thrill of the climb and the summit. He needs it. And it was a beautiful day. So I agreed.

Of course, here he is at the very beginning of the stairs skipping a step already! I was a nervous wreck, but he was in his glory 🙂

I still have to remind myself which way the time change goes by repeating “Fall back, spring forward” every year just like when I was a kid. But this fall, there is no back, only forward. Ever forward.