March 28, 2008


Blessings, all! Garrett had a good day today, but the nightmares continue. Just as I started to write this, he had another. At the hospital today, his xplant nurse said Garrett’s nightmare issues were discussed in staff. There are no medications that should be doing this right now. The assessment is that his 8 year old mind has simply had a dump truck load of stuff thrown at him in a very short time, and it is will take time to shake. With time, love, patience and prayer, these will subside. He really doesn't’t like to go to bed right now because he doesn't want the bad dreams. When that happens, we hand it over to Jesus and I try to get his mind on something fun. So we have a drill we do where I will run baseball defensive scenarios past him. ie: runner on 2nd, one out, ball hit hard on the ground to deep 3rd side of shortstop. What do you do? He’s pretty good and quickly making a decision and executing his plan. Is there anything a good baseball game can’t fix???

It’s neat to watch how Garrett’s mind works to free him from his worries when he has bad dreams. In his childlike way, he wants to say a short prayer, then talk about baseball and soon enough he is able to go back to sleep. As adults, we seem to want to figure out what the dreams are and try to fix the problem ourselves. Saint Thomas once wrote “Only an adult who has lost the clear vision of childhood begins to think of his acts, and of himself, as self-sufficient…” I too become so infatuated with my own self-reliance, that I often see less of anything, especially God who can make all things right. I can’t fix it! I can only be a tool for the Master’s craftsmanship. If I would do more like Garrett and simply turn it over to Him, let it go, and then go have fun, the bad stuff would go away sooner.

His clinic check up today was pretty good. He gained a pound back, but his blood pressure is up and his anti-rejection levels in his blood, are down. They don’t seem overly concerned, but warned to watch how he feels and keep him as healthy as possible. To that end, we stay pretty isolated from folks most of the time and are limiting the number and length of visits for right now. We had someone come up the other day for a short visit and they woke up sick the next morning. There’s no way they could have seen it coming, but that is why we are so very cautious right now. By the Grace of God, Garrett didn't get the bug. So if you do come up, please be sure you haven’t been around anyone who is sick, even if you feel well. We just can’t take extra chances right now.
Our Little Cowboy is still spurring tough, though. Yesterday he said he wants to ride his horse and told me also, “Daddy, I just want to swing a bat again”. He will…….hopefully sooner than we all might think. He said his prayers tonight again remembering those most important to him. Among them were Darren, Megan, his Grampy that he never met, the little boy who is so very sick, a little girl who was just diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma on her spinal cord, and for his animals he misses so much. What a reunion it will be when the critters see him coming sometime this summer!

And of course, we always pray for you all, Ever thankful for the constant support and friendship. As the knees on your britches wear thin, his heart gets better each day. Believe it.......I do. We saw a family today who just lost their child. You don't have to look far to see someone with real problems and broken hearts. I'd ask for you to remember them in your intentions. I don't know them, but their world shattered today.

God Bless you,
JD