Vertical

 The next time you wake up in the morning, you'll probably roll over...Maybe hit the snooze... And go for 5 more. Or maybe you are like Little Mary Sunshine, as my mom used to brightly sing as she encouraged me to get up in the morning. That didn't make me merry at all. Nevertheless, she would continue that little diddy until I got out of bed.

Jim would typically set 2 or 3 alarms to wake up, just in case he slept through1 or 2 of them, which he has been known to do. Then he would swing those runners legs over the edge of the mattress, feet on the floor, toes already fidgety... head down almost parallel to the floor, arms kind of bracing himself as if the tower could fall at any time. It could take him quite a while to get vertical.

For a while, he would be on autopilot. Brain still deciding. 

Yesterday, the physical therapist came in and said we were going to sit on the edge of the bed like before, and see if he would study himself again. He did. In fact, he made fists and tried to push himself up. So, Tommy, the PT, said okay, we're gonna try to stand! So he belted him for the extra hold, prepared the bear hug, and told Jim,"Ok, Jim. We're going to stand on the count of three!" Up he went. Trying to make things work and get his bearings, face determined, gripping my hand for extra oomph! Tommy held him up... Mostly... For about thirty seconds. Sat him down. You could tell it was exhausting, but within a few seconds, Jim was positioning his fists to push himself back up! So with that, Tommy repeated, "on account of three, Jim... Here we go... One... Two... Three... and up!" Taller that time. His face not squished in Tommy's shoulder, grasping my hand, and using everything he had to go vertical.

Vertical.

Not on his own. Not supporting himself. His one leg partially working. One not. But, vertical.

I hope Jim understands how big that was. How this is a different kind of race he is participating in. How the challenges may be different from ones he has already conquered over the years, but they are still challenges he can meet. I believe he can and will. With God's help, of course. I believe that whatever that factor is that set him apart to begin with will kick in more...everyday.

I need to find a medal for vertical.