Hot Streak

Ninety-four degrees on the front porch. I would not want to sit out there. Apparently Erica did not either.

Monday afternoon, I was at work. My mother had been sitting with Erica on the front porch. This is a common place for us to hang out. A rocking chair, covered, shaded and tucked into a huge rhododendron, a birds nest in view where we watch a very cautious mother bird feed her young. My mother had gone in the house to do something in the kitchen when minutes later she heard the front door close. Turning, she saw Erica inside saying something about being too hot as she walked over and sit on the couch. No rollator, no other person to help. Just got herself up and started free-walking across the room.

I was told that this was followed by several trips walking the length of our house on her own, not even holding the walls for balance. Having not seen this myself, I was skeptical until Erica stood from the couch and walked herself to the dining table, finished her meal, stood up again and started clearing the table for the rest of us! As I said before, Erica’s going to do this Erica’s way!

In the past 24 hours, Erica has helped in the kitchen, showered herself and went through her closet trying on summer clothes (many of which were still tagged from being purchased just prior to going in the hospital in March). And today she went shopping. Yes, full-on mall shopping. Erica’s mother and mine, loaded up Erica and her wheelchair and went on a summer dress hunt at the air-conditioned mall. They said that Erica must have stood and sat more than 20 times in the dressing room trying on at least 10 dresses. (For comparison, she has been only doing 3-5 sit/stands when PT comes and had not really tried walking without some form of assistance).

Days before Erica’s new hot streak, I overheard a friend comment about how some people accept their disabilities, thanking God for life, but stop praying for complete healing. She was not talking about Erica, but I realized at that moment that this was me. I have never stopped believing, but I had stopped pleading. Time for a faith check. I fearfully, faithfully and intentionally began to pray again for complete healing–not just improvement, not just joy in the moment, but complete healing. I know that my prayers are not alone because I read all of your texts and comments from this blog and Erica’s socials to her daily. She loves hearing from everyone and is moved. David Crowder sings a line, “…when mountains move, I say, looks like somebody prayed.”

Today, I must say, it looks like somebody prayed. Keep ’em coming.