six years of love and growth

this past sunday marks six years since momma's stroke. it has certainly been a wild ride. i got a text reminding me of this huge milestone and i got all teary-eyed. my beautiful mom has fought so hard to be where she is today and for the most part, done it in spite of the pain she endures. living amidst pain and stagnation is what i see. i feel honored to know her and to watch her continue to walk with grace and love. her ability to continue to be the best mom ever has blown my mind. whether she tells me i'm looking great when i feel awful or i mess up and have all this shame. she never judges and is so quick to make me realize that NOTHING is a big deal and we can get through anything. obviously, i believe her because we have gotten through obstacles that we never thought we could. 

so, sunday, we all piled into the car (jer, em, lo, and jack) as we said farewell to Jack who headed to Brazil for the world cup. he's reported in and has made it successfully to a gunshot/dog-barking hostel but seems optimistic. he'll be gone for 6 weeks! and then before we know it, alice and I will be off for a israeli-european adventure in july! what a beautiful modern family we have! and smooch brings light to our lives and continues to love unconditionally. 

i'll leave you with this. when you are feeling sad or stuck, remember that everything ends. impermanence is all we know. better get used to it. 

til next time,

em

Hey ya'll,

Whats new in my moms life?

She just made it back from a quick trip in Frankfort, Michigan where she hung out with her fam. She sounded like she enjoyed herself although she kept telling me she wished her kids were with her.

Before her trek up north, she finished her 6 month intensive physical therapy program (strokenation.org). If you haven't already checked it out, go do so. Lots of great videos of her and others and it's main premise is great. She loved it and I think helped her immensely.

She's coming to visit me up in Western Washington September 12 and I am SO EXCITED! And she's staying for 2 weeks! I miss her so much!

As for everything else, She's just busy trying to continue more speech therapies, physical therapies and avail herself of every resource possible. It is hard staying a float in LA with expensive realestate but with some help she will continue to thrive.

Thanks for reading and everyones continued support. I'll continue updating as much as I can.

Love,
Emma

Dear all--

I'm in awe with how quickly time passes. A few weeks ago marks 4 years since the stroke-- how surreal.

Momma continues to march on. She has been doing intensive group Physical therapy 5 days a week for 2 hours. I just wandered upon a website that has videos of her and others working hard (www.strokenation.org).

Lots of love to all this summer,
Momma and gang

2012 update- Happy new year!

I could have sworn I updated this thing since the big move... I guess not.

We got mom settled in an apartment in Santa Monica off Wilshire. Was a huge change but I we've adapted well, considering. In October she went to Chicago with me (Emma) to do a Aphasia Speech therapy study for 6 weeks. We had a blast and totally think it was beneficial for momma. Lots of laughs were had and lots of growth. We came home just in time for thanksgiving dinner at Celia's.

Since then, we celebrated the holidays. And momma went back solo to Chicago the first week of January for a follow up to her study in October. Sounds like it was an easy trip considering she managed on her own. When marsh and I took her to the airport she was so over us asking if she had everything etc. Ha!

I'm not sure specifically the days but she is supposedly doing a group physical/occupational therapy intensive during the week. Sounds like it is helpful.

Nonetheless, she hasn't changed and continues to amaze and inspire me.

Today is a very special day!

Happy birthday to the beautiful Lora Lee... aka my favorite mother on this planet! This morning she had some grubs and bonding with her dashing sisters. Once home, we hung out by the pool and laughed. Then proceeded to continue our celebration by a beach-side dinner at Shutters hotel restaurant. It was beautiful. We will be finishing the night off with a movie late tonight. She's everyones hero today.

In other news, house was sold and the process of inspectors/escrow shenanigans are beside us. So... we are in the midst of trying to find the perfect place for momma and looking hard. There will be the perfect place but hasn't hit us yet. If you know if any leads, let us know.

Lots of love today,

The Lo posse

Open House

Today was our first open house! After getting back from Michigan, we quickly put together the house and it looks lovely. Send some positive vibes our way for some good offers and a quick turn around. This process is exhausting and we want to continue to move in the right direction. Who wants to sit in a beautiful newly cleaned house and want to leave?

With love to all,

The fam

Is it really June 12th?!

The house has been slowly (but surely) moving in the right direction. We've been playing musical beds while painting has been going on. My dad's friend came and did some landscaping in front and although it is minimal, it looks better. We had a garage sale today which turned out to be somewhat successful. Not a huge outcry of people but we made a little money and will get the rest shipped out to give away in the AM. This whole cleaning/moving/whatever-you-want-to-call-it/process has been a learning experience and though the rest of the family wouldn't agree, I feel positive. It feels similar to camping, especially having an almost daily lunch picnic in our back yard since our kitchen has been unusable during painting. Don't get me wrong... we do have a debilitating amount of useless stuff sprawled out throughout our house, backyard and garage. But it will get done! One day soon hopefully. My mom has been a rock (duh) through all of this and we are lucky to have her steadfast vibes to keep us moving towards the finish line.

Mema is coming out to visit and help mid-week and that will be nice to have her around. And then, before we know it we will be all heading to Michigan for Grand-paul's birthday celebration for 4th of July weekend.

Amidst my chaotic writing and lack of any structure, I hope this finds you well.

Sending love to you today,
Emma