Time Out (Update for February 21, 2016)

Sam enjoys lunch outside. 

Sam had a good day yesterday. He's been trapped inside so much that Bridget decided it would be a good idea to get him out of house to have some lunch. She said she was "spoiling him" with a special treat of oysters and lemonade. They sat outside at a restaurant in Portland called The Observatory, and enjoyed their time together. Sam still has fluid restrictions, but Bridget has this figured out, and easily keeps him at his 2-liter limit per day. 

Today, they were home relaxing. Sam slept in, and then they watched the Daytona 500. Knowing they aren't racing fans, Bridget jokingly said she wasn't sure why they were watching it. But, we all agree, whatever Sam wants. So, knowing that, they also watched The Brady Brunch and Sam questioned Mike and Carol's parenting skills. Nice. 

Tomorrow, he has an appointment with his neurologist. Then, one week from tomorrow, cranioplasty. Our family feels strongly that the real healing can begin after the surgery. As far as he has come, the road to full recovery will be easier when the surgery is complete. I will keep everyone up to date through his surgery next week, and through his recovery going forward. This blog does me good, and helps everyone share in this journey with my family and my son. It's an honest account of what I am feeling and what is happening. I am thankful for your support and prayers. It's made all the difference. 

I will be reaching out to the Portland Police Department next week. If there is any news to report related to the investigation, I will let everyone know through my blog. 

I've been thinking a lot about Sam's friends lately. I moved around a lot when I was a kid, and never really had those lifelong friendships. I wanted my kids to have that, and they did. They have roots in Arkansas and solid, loving friendships. I don't think that will ever change; their friends really are family to Sam and Molly. So many of their friends have went above and beyond to help them when they needed it. When Molly had her seizures in college, it was her friends who stayed by her side when I couldn't be there. Molly's friends took up a collection to pay for her trip to see Sam in a few weeks. Sam's friends, and their parents, have donated thousands of dollars to the GoFundMe account. Their friends are rock solid, and a source of happiness for me.

When Sam was in high school, one of his best friends, Nick B., passed away. Sam was heartbroken. Nick was a serious and handsome young man, tall and dark-haired. I was driving home from work, ignoring my phone, but when I pulled in the driveway I finally glanced at it. I saw that both of my children had called me and texted me numerous times. I walked in my house through my garage, and I heard Sam and Molly sobbing. They were sitting on the stairs, hugging each other. The next few minutes, after Sam was able to tell me about Nick, are hard to recall because the shock and grief were overwhelming. It was one of the saddest days I can remember, and the weeks that followed were difficult for all of us who loved Nick, both his friends and wonderful family. Sam and all of Nick's friends were devastated, and that feeling lingers. Nick was family. I'm thinking of Nick today, because he is what having a lifelong friend means. And, to Nick's parents Chris and Debbie, who have reached out to Sam during this time ... know that Nick was a good friend to Sam as well. 

Sam and friend Ellen in Montana, 2013.

Hunter, Richmond, Sam, Wilson and Nick, 2008.

Sam, Nick H., Sophie and Jeff, 2006 or 07.

When Sam was finally cognizant of his surroundings at the hospital, some of his first thoughts were of his friends. Did they know? Would I please call them? I called three of his closest friends from Arkansas — Jeff, Nick H. and Wilson. They all three were sitting by the phone, waiting to hear from me. Through tears, we talked and they just wanted to make sure Sam knew they loved him and were thinking of him. Sam was too emotional and ill to speak to them at that time, but now I believe he is texting them regularly. Whether Sam comes to Arkansas for awhile, or they go there, I believe time with them will help his recovery. I think I still owe Hunter, Cameron and Ellen a phone call. 

It's great to have friends that are family. I ordered some T-shirts for those who sit with Sam, when Bridget can't be there, to thank them ... the shirts say "Life is better with friends" and it is of course. You all are proof of that. My own friends and family have made this journey so much easier. And, I've made some new friends, even if it is through Facebook and email messages. I appreciate these new connections. Yesterday, I received a message from a mom in Little Rock named Jodi. I don't know her, but her words touched me and she called this moment in our lives an "unplanned time out" and that makes sense to me. For all of you, like Joni, who share your stories and your lives with me through email, Facebook and GoFundMe, thank you for making us a part of your lives. 

I want to thank Vie De Boheme and Heather Christie for auctioning off a bottle of wine at their Heartbreak Valentine's event and raising $175 for Sam and Bridget. 

Thank you for reading this blog, and for thinking of my precious son.