Nicolas, my "grandson" of the heart,

Nick is getting his first car today!!

Nicolas and I first met when he was two years old and a patient at Doernbecker Hospital. He was in ICU with a trachea, a halo, a feeding tube and two of the brownest eyes I have ever seen. I visited him three times a week for months. He was a chubby, adorable little boy and he had been in a terrible auto accident. His mommie had died from leukemia, three weeks before the accident. It was the saddest thing I had ever heard about...and so I volunteered. Nick had months of rehab, learning how to live with his disabilities, and moving forward. I was with him through all of this as his daddy had to work. I loved him more each time I was with him.

In rehab at Shriners, which went on for years!

When it was time to discharge from the rehab hospital, his dad asked me to stay in their lives and I was thrilled. I just became "grandma joan" over the months and years that followed.

Nick on my back patio "fishing".
I spent at least 3 or 4 days a
week with him--either at my
house, or his, and to one of
his endless doctor or rehab
appointments!

Today, he is thrilled beyond belief! He is now 17, a straight A student, and hopefully heading to U of O for architecture study after he graduates in the spring of 09! He is an amazing young man!

Next week his car will go for special hand controls adaptation, for you see, Nick was left a tri-plegic after all the healing was done. He does walk with crutches, but it is very laborious for him, so he prefers his wheelchair.

When Nick was five his dad remarried and his new mom adopted him, as well as his older brother, Charles (who is another story) There was a new little brother born into the family who is adored by his two older brothers.

Nicolas, Charles, Paul--Christmas 2007

When Nick was 10, his darling daddy, who had become like another son to me, was instantly killed in a head on crash on a beautiful, sunny Oregon spring morning. What a shock it was. We all reeled from that loss for months and months. Nick was forlorn, depressed and in such deep grief, that it was hard to know how to help him. I loved him and prayed a lot. My own thoughts were in turmoil and I was full of questions for God...i finally came to the fact that we live in an imperfect world where accidents happen and while God does not plan these things, he allows them in our lives, hopefully for His ultimate glory. It does take a long time to process all of that after a terrible tragedy.

As Nick matured, he was quietly resistant to the call from God placed upon his heart. He has been active in Young Life, has gone to their camps and loved every minute, but still refused to make that commitment to the Lord. I am thrilled to say that last fall Nicolas gave his life completely to Christ when he experienced the rebirth of his soul by asked the Lord Jesus Christ to come into his life.

I wrote about Nick today because this is such an important day for him--getting his own car and then learning to drive. He says he will drive himself to see me--I'm looking forward to that day!! He comes to see me and spends week-ends here when he can, but being able to drive himself will be a marvelous milestone for him.

Nick, if you are reading this, I love you, sweet boy. I've loved you since the day I first laid eyes on you. Of course you know that. I hope you are okay with me sharing some of your story. I think it is an amazing one and I am sooooo thrilled for you that you are going to be driving!!

gramma joan

Nick, taken last week--age 17

a trip to the snow

On Sunday we went to Sandy, Oregon, about 12 miles from my home. It was a family gathering to celebrate 3 birthdays at the GCrew's home. (That's nephew Matt, Gaye, his wife, and the four young G's)

Upon arriving home from church, I found a message on my machine announcing that they had 6 inches of snow!!!! but party was still on. I vacillated a little about going, but daughter Tammy arrived with her salad, and I decided she would give me the extra bravery we needed.

We were to call when we got to the bottom of their hill and Matt would come down in the 4-wheel drive pick-up. I discovered my phone was out of battery, Tammy had her cell phone but had only put about 3-4 numbers and did not have the G's numbers. Since Matt is a policeman, his phone is unlisted...so that ruled out "information please"!

Tammy, good sport that she is, headed up the hill to let them know we needed a ride. (I was too afraid to try walking up as I am afraid of falling) So here comes Matthew with his 12 year old son, Zach, one of the birthday kids.

I got out of my car, and gingerly took two steps to the pickup-door....then I absolutely couldn't get up that high. There was a high step bar that was slippery and I could envision my foot slipping as I hoisted my poor old stiff body up into that seat.

Bravery took over and I did it, but landed on my side in the front seat, laughing and giggling like a teen-ager. 12 year old Zach was in the back seat trying not to laugh, but when he saw I was laughing, he really howled! (I think I made his day with the "gracefu"l landing in his dad's front seat!)

Before I made the step, I was outside the cab sizing up the high step, Matt came around the truck to see if he could help in anyway. Now you need to know that in August, Matt had a compound fracture of his leg, had three surgeries and has only been off crutches for about 3 weeks. All I could envision was knocking Matt to the ground, landing on him, and breaking his other leg...,so I wouldn't let him help me up.

We made it to the top of the hill without incident. I wasn't surprised to see that my kids weren't there yet, as they come from Salem, 50 miles south. One of the kids came downstairs and said there was a van stuck at the bottom of the hill. It was son Jon's family. Next thing we saw they were all climbing up the hill and had arrived in one piece.

We had a lovely relaxing day. The kids were outside on sleds, going down that very hill none of the cars could conquer. They had a great time and we enjoyed our time together visiting, opening presents, eating and then all of us leaving a little early to avoid the promised snowfall that was predicted for lower elevations last night. (it came!)

So, once again all is well that ends well. I felt pretty good that I ventured the drive up there. As I get older I'm not nearly as daring as I was in my younger days, but all day today it has given me a new sense of well-bing that I operated out of my usual cautious "box". I feel good about it.

Its time to finish up my Precepts in I Peter for tomorrow's Bible Study. We're all hoping that the warmer weather that followed the snow is going to continue.

Have a good one!!

I know more today than I did yesterday about the blogging stuff!

Well, in a few minutes I'm off to meet my daughter-in-law and pick up my Molly girl. She is going to spend the three day week-end and we are going to have fun! She wants to scrapbook, so we'll do that. I have over 300 pictures from our Thanksgiving cruise to the Mexican Riveria and I'll let her choose what she wants. We will have fun together as she loves to do crafty things and since I have a room full of whatever she needs in the way of stamping sets, stickers, ink pads, papers, envelopes, etc. etc. she always has a blast!!

Its hard to believe that we will be celebrating her 13th birthday next Sunday!!

Time to change my clothes and get gas and get on the road. They live sixty five miles south so we have a Burger King that is half way where we meet. I'm looking forward to a great week-end with the sweet girl!

When I get this all figured out (google, that is) I may even post some pictures!!

Day 2 of blogging--

If I knew what I was doing, I would post a picture of myself, white hair and all....but alas....it alludes me at this time! Bear with me. I'm usually a pretty quick learner, but I still haven't quite figured out how to even get to my Blog!! (Well, I actually bookmarked it tonight, so hopefully that will help). No, I don't think I'm senile--old, but generally have my wits about me.
Wowie! I figured out how to put on a photo and it is only the 7th of February!!



"a portland grammy" with molly and elliot

I did have a very productive day and that is always a praise!! Tomorrow my granddaughter, Molly, is coming for the three day week-end. They live south of me and we meet half-way for me to pick up the kids. I like them one at a time. Molly and I will do some scrapbooking, maybe make some cards, watch March of the Penguins, which she probably won't be too thrilled with. and go shopping, her favorite pastime! She is to be 13 in a couple of weeks!

That's it for tonight.

First Post

Well, here I am and I don't know what I am doing exactly. I'm hoping this will work. I haven't a clue how to post pictures, or fancy "wallpaper", etc. I will have to wait for a grandson to come and help me out.

I have been a lurker on several posts and have wanted to have a comment several times, but had to join the blogging society before I would be allowed to post...so here I am--driving in the dark!