However, in the past weeks I have had to slow down and reflect. God sure knows the timing of things. This Easter season was truly filled with life for my family. About three weeks ago, my grandpa fell and was in the ICU due to his critical head injury. As soon as my mom called to give me the news, all the memories of my grandma being in the hospital came rushing back. Just three years ago the entire family was gathered in the ICU of Queen of the Valley Hospital and it did not end well. "Oh boy," I thought. "Here we go again."
A week passed and he was still in the hospital. Every time I walked into the room, I did with a heavy heart. Each night I had to drive back to San Jose, I would leave my heart in Napa where I wished I could stay to watch over him and be there for my mom. Thankfully, I had such great support from Alex, friends, coworkers and the smiles of my students to keep me going until I could come back to Napa each night.
Two weeks passed and he was still in the hospital. Thankfully, he was out of the ICU and was in the recovery unit of the hospital. Being in this unit required my grandpa to participate in three hours of physical therapy daily. He had good sessions and he had tough ones too. Things that were once easy for him to do no longer were as a result of his head injury.
Today, as my grandpa was discharged from the hospital I was moved to tears. When each of the therapists came in to say goodbye to my grandpa I recalled all of the days he spent in the hospital. These strangers had become family. They had been so patient with my grandpa, encouraging him to keep going and to work hard. It was this moment that moved me to write and take the time to acknowledge doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other medical workers for all of the work they do. Also, to acknowledge how great God is to us and how blessed my family is for this second chance with my grandpa. Things will not be easy now that he has come home, but thankfully God has provided my grandpa with an army of family members to take care of him!
Welcome Home Grandpa!
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