Holli and I are enjoying our big snow tonight. We already have several inches and they are calling for it to snow until tomorrow morning. We have not had significant snowfall like this in a long time here in Nashville. I will be spending the night with Holli and sleeping in a chair. I know I will not get much sleep tonight.
Holli has been doing so well with her talking. She usually greets everyone that comes in the room and is usually so polite. At times she can get very angry and shakes her fist or says inappropriate words. When I ask her why she is angry , she will calm down and say...."I don't know". I know this is a part of her brain injury and that we will have to not take it personally when she says or acts inappropriately. She has also been taking alittle nourishment by mouth and doing well. She only wants a couple of spoonfuls at a time but at least this is a start. It is so much fun being able to talk and sing with her. She loves singing along with her music on her Ipod. She still enjoys watching the Simpsons and Friends and laughing every evening. I read her a book tonight that was really funny that really made her laugh hard. What sweet music to my ears!

I am on cloud nine!! In the last week Holli is starting to talk more and more. Yesterday while Heather, her sister, was with her they called me at home and put Holli on the phone. She said "Hi Mom" and "I love you". Today I have been with her and she has said no and yes when I asked her several questions very loud and clear when she was up in the chair. Once we got her back in the bed I asked her could she say her name....she said Holli. I asked her could she say Hawthorne and she said it very clearly. It is not all the time she is talking but it is happening more and more without her sleeping medication. She has said several more words and short sentences today. Tonight when her sister, Heather, came by to see Holli, we got her abc letters out and Holli would say the words that Heather was spelling. I decided to try and see if she could sing the ABC song. She started immediately when I began and did not miss a letter! Of course we had to sing it several times!!!I feel so blessed that this is finally happening and prayers are being answered.

Along with this blessing I am saddened by the loosing of a dear friend last week, Mark ,who was Harrison's Mom's love for so many years. He was such a wonderful man who loved Karen and her family dearly. He was so kind to me while I was there in San Francisco. I will truly miss him. I send my love and prayers to Karen , Harrison and Riley during this difficult time in their lives.

Diane