Friday, March 16, 2007

Mark's Personal Taxi

Yesterday I was healthy enough to take Mark to one of his doctor's appointments. Whenever I look at him, my heart swells with gratitude and he seems to feel it too because I kept catching him smiling. This visit was about his foot, which was the least concern, while he was in the hospital. X-rays revealed that the bone was 90% healed, but unfortunately wrong. His foot rolls in when he stands on it and he has lost his arch. Now we need to see a podiatrist and he needs to be fitted for a permanet support that he will need to wear in his shoe. The doctor didn't want to comment on whether this could have been avoided, but to be honest, we were expecting something like this. On the bright side, he has gained back 80% of his strength in it from the physical therapy. Later, when he's worn the arch support for awhile, he will regain most all of it's normal strength.... and then he can start driving again :) Until then, we will continue to 'taxi' him around and I'll have extra opportunities to stare at him. Mark was really disappointed that getting behind the wheel is still a ways down the road, but we can't blame him for his lack of enthusiasm about being a passenger. It causes him great anxiety now and STOP signs actually make him nervous....

Don't fret too much son, you'll have the rest of your life to be the driver!

Thank God :)







Mark coming out of his first store....and completely wondering why I am taking his picture.












Mark realizing that I am chronicling this moment and thinking his mother is crazy.















Mark humoring me and giving me a killer smile :)















Mark thinking, "Okay Mom, that's enough!"








Mark has just told me that I am indeed crazy and that no one cares that he has just purchased something from a store.

You wanna bet?

:)

49 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

:D

Hope you'll be able to drive again soon, Mark :)

Loved reading the comments with the pictures, Darlene, *grin*

XOXO Sophie

12:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LoL! Oh yes we do care! It's fantastic to see pictures of Mark doing normal everyday things like going shopping, and to be able to see what a gorgeous hunk of a man he is! ;D (sorry Mark, but you are!)
I sympathise with not being able to drive yourself yet, Mark, but like Mum says, there's plenty of time for that and what a miracle that is!
Just concentrate on getting yourself 100% again, and know that you are so very loved, the pair of you! Thanks for sharing these photo's with us. Have a wonderful weekend.
Much Love & Hugs for the whole family ((xXx)) Suze

1:39 AM  
Blogger Shaz said...

I care, I care very much.
Its so good to see you out and about. And D I am so glad you were well enough to be the taxi driver.
Love and Hugs xxx

2:22 AM  
Blogger Susannah Conway said...

Mark has such an amazing smile, it's like the whole sun is shining on you :-) it's so fantastic to see him up and about! hugs to you love xo

2:39 AM  
Blogger swirlyange said...

It makes me happy to see Mark looking so wonderful! Hehe cute pictures by the way....there's lots of us out here who care about these little victories!
Lots of love,
Ange xo

2:48 AM  
Blogger Vanessa said...

WOW! He looks SO good!
And tell him from me, you weren't just chronicling a moment, you were documenting a MIRACLE!... one that is a thrill to see :)
Vx

3:16 AM  
Blogger Angela Marie said...

Oh my Gosh!! Look at him! He looks Grrreat! He has gained some weight back! Look at that killer smile!

Diandra told me she saw you two on your outing... she called me right away and told me she wanted to hug Mark so bad, but was afraid she was going to hurt him. I told her that would have been "good" pain, he would have loved a hug! :)

Hey! What are Mom's for? LOL!

4:58 AM  
Blogger Jack K. said...

If he takes that bet he will lose. Well, maybe. I guess I am not as concerned about what he bought, but that he could.

HUZZAH!!!

He is indeed a handsome lad with a killer smile.

As for the driving, it is the symbol for him gaining more control over his life. To that end, I hope he has a picture of the car he wants to drive/own some day. It will be therapeutic for him to post a picture of it in a conspicuous place so he can see it every day.

I think it may be time for me to post a picture of a red Honda S2000. tee hee.

Keep up the good works.

And, Darlene, I hope you can get the lupus under control to the point that it isn't even a minor irritation. My best to you all. The energy is coming your way.

5:03 AM  
Blogger Constance said...

We ABSOLUTELY care! Hey to see this handsome son of yours doing normal everyday stuff that we take for granted is just another reminder of the power of prayer and God's faithfulness!
Connie

5:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so glad you were feeling well enough to take mark out shopping..."whatcha by me???" take care all of you. sending lots of warm and fuzzies, as always.

6:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, we care... Mark, you are a walking, talking miracle. God is am amaing God and I feel like I know your family personally through this wonderful blog.

Mak, no matter how old you are your Mom will always be a Mom. Her love is deep like the roots of the old oak trees... humor her always.

Keep smiling

6:34 AM  
Blogger chulita4 said...

Oh Mark, believe me.........we care!!! I kept looking at your pictures and thinking (besides how handsome you are) of my own son, Eric. He is your age...and my heart filled with so much gratitude for you and your mom--and whole family of course--but mainly your mom and you You for having been given the gift of your life to continue on with your dreams, but most especially your mom for having been given the most precious gift of seeing her son's beautiful smile again. Take care and just put up with her taking more pictures of you because every single one is a tribute to the miracle of your life. Sending lots of love and peace.

6:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

only twelve comments so far?!? man, people are slacking! i expected at least twenty at this point to say ...

I CARE! I CARE!

(which i do, btw. very much.)

hee hee!

7:09 AM  
Blogger LEstes65 said...

Mothers are all crazy when it comes to their kids. And you can tell Mark that we all care that he went into the store. I know it must amaze you - he's healthy enough to be walking with crutches. He's a live. His organs are all healing and he won't have back surgery. I know the foot trade-off in the hospital must seem hard to accept in hind sight. But I can recall how bad you said he was. And they addressed the more critical items and he's alive. YEAH MARK!!! I love the captions of the pictures. YEAH for crazy moms!!!

7:27 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

We do care...very much.

Mark has one of those infectious smiles that you can't help smiling yourself when you see. I'm smiling just looking at his pictures; I can't imagine what it mush be like in person.

I'm glad you were up to playing chauffeur. Take care of yourself, beauty.

xoxo Star

8:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So glad that you chronicled this special moment...so that we could see Mark's beautiful smile for ourselves! You captured a miracle, in the truest sense!

I am reminded of the previous post when Mark was feeling as though he would never be attractive to anyone. I can honestly say that as a 26 year old female, there is no doubt that anyone will not call him gorgeous. For anyone to not see his charm & smile is in trouble!

8:08 AM  
Blogger Wanda said...

OH YES,WE CARE! You belong to the "world" now, you are a part of our daily thinking. You are our inspiration! Now, give your mom a big smile every time she points that camera at you, cause your smile makes us feel better.
Time will pass fast, and soon you will be in the driver's seat!
We love you Mark! Dar, you are still #1 Mom.
I love you every day!
Wanda Mom

8:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course we care and we're still following his recovery, as well as yours. He is a walking miracle.

9:05 AM  
Blogger me-nikk said...

Yup Mark, we're all here just as nutz as your mama wondering what you're up to and getting all gitty and excited that "OMG! YOU WENT TO THE STORE!" I don't know why I care, but I do, as these other people here do as well... and honestly, what's so bad about that? YOU, giving all of US something to care about. I could think of a lot of worse things out there. :) Take care of you!

10:52 AM  
Blogger Zorana said...

Yes, yes we do care! When you see that smile it's difficult to remember the nightmare he went through. It made me very happy to see the photos!

11:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This has been the ultimate feel good story for me. I was so down with you during the hard times, and I am so delighted for you now and share your happiness. This has been a lesson for me that miracles do happen. Mark is truly a blessed person who is destined to make a mark in the world.

12:12 PM  
Blogger Magicaldamselfly said...

YES, Mark, we do care!
We care very much that you are able to do this small task because it shows us exactly what the power of prayer does for one person. It shows us that every single person is a child of God and that when we pray He listens and listen he did.
I think you are a very special young man and can't wait to hear what you do with your miracle.

Hugs,
Sheila

ps...hugs to you too Dar

1:40 PM  
Blogger LDahl said...

you wanna bet Mark...oh, we care, we care more than you will ever know!!
Hehehe!
That smile is a gift!!! I'm still so happy to see that boy on his feet!

3:18 PM  
Blogger luzie said...

Yes, yes, yes, we DO care indeed! Loved the pictures and your comments! You've got such a handsome son, Darlene! :)

xo

3:31 PM  
Blogger turquoise cro said...

Phew! So GLAD to seeeeeeeee these pics! Mark doing an every day thing, going to the store to make a purchase! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO! Allleluia!!!Hey, there might be a match made in heaven on here, does Mark have a girlfriend??? I think some of our commenters might have dare I say it, fallen in love with our Miracle Man???!!!!although we all have!!!Really though, THANKS! Darlene and THANKS! Mark for letting your momma take these great pics for us! HAPPY week-end EVERYONE! xoxoxox, Cinda

4:12 PM  
Blogger boho girl said...

Mark looks fabulous...

sorry about his foot healing wrong but i know that is the least of your worries.

it's so wonderful to see his smile and weight on his bones again!

give him a huge smooch and hug from his Auntie (and you too).

love you a bunch.

4:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To look at him you would never know anything happened. What a gorgeous man!!

You guys are spectacular!!

Sending my lovins...

Teresa
xxxooo

4:46 PM  
Blogger Mary Timme said...

Yeah! Mark, You wanna bet?

5:10 PM  
Blogger Kim -today's creative blog said...

Oh yes we care! Such a hansome boy you have. I can feel the love you have for him in the way you write.

I hope you feel better soon too.

5:11 PM  
Blogger Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

you wanna bet is right...ANYthing he does is worth noting.... walking is worth seeing.... standing tall is worth seeing.... smiling is worth seeing....s going in that store is worth seeing...knowing he's anxious to drive again...well that's just amazing!
He may as well get used to the fact he has a "public" now. lol!
Hugs to both of you!
XOXO

7:58 PM  
Blogger daisies said...

:)

its so wonderful to see these photos of him walking out of a store and smiling so brightly ... your family amazes me!!

thank you for sharing. hugs!

10:47 PM  
Blogger MsGraysea said...

YEAH!!! Another wonderful step in your miracle, Mark and Darlene.
trip to the store is a HUGE deal after all that has happened. It must have felt so good to be another step closer to having your life back. Hope you can hear all the "applause" out here for you.

Such good news, Darlene. No wonder you feel a bit better.
Wishing you continued, peace, energy, love and ease.
Cape Cod Kitty

4:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry, Mark -- Mom was right on this one. The pictures are worth a thousand words. But you're a good son to humor her, and us, because I would surely have been wearing a far less pleasant expression if I were the subject of these photos, and that's on my best day. ;) Thanks so much for sharing, Darlene!

7:10 AM  
Blogger sandy said...

Great to see Mark up and about..he looks so healthy and happy...

((Mark)) and ((((Darlene)))

great pics to see...

10:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can I just say how stinkin handsome this guy of yours is?
sending love from Indiana,
Kim

12:00 PM  
Blogger Michelle O'Neil said...

We care!

We love the pictures of your (our) Mark!

He looks great BTW!

Three cheers!

12:39 PM  
Blogger angela said...

I just loved your commentary...it made me smile.
Gosh, Mark looks so well.
Well done Mark.
Big hugs,
Angela

4:14 PM  
Blogger Diandra said...

It was so good to see you both! I wanted to give Mark a hug, but wasn't sure I was allowed. I didn't know what I could and couldn't touch; I didn't want to hurt him...weird thought, lil' ol me hurting a big, tall guy like Mark.

He looks great! What a miracle he is!

I hope you're feeling better; and that you get to come over our home sometime soon. :)

Love and hugs,

Diandra

P.S. Sorry I got all nervous...

7:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He's so handsome! It's so very wonderful to hear his progress. I'm so glad that he is getting better. What a relief.

LC

7:11 AM  
Blogger JP (mom) said...

I can feel that joy that must have been filling your whole being as you were clicking away, grateful to see him able to walk out of a store. I'm so happy for you Darlene, xx, JP

10:44 AM  
Blogger AMY said...

Wow! I showed my kiddos that last two posts and they shouted out "Yippee!" They are amazed at how well he looks. I wondered what the kiddos thought as I explained his injuries to them. Em thought he was split from the top of his head down. She now understands. J was just excited to see pictures of him walking around. What a special treasure. Keep sharing the news; the good and even the not so good.

12:15 PM  
Blogger Regina said...

Wow- to think how far Mark has come is incredible! Thank you for keeping us posted on his progress, Darlene- I couldn't be more happy and grateful than I am now!
I am glad you are feeling a little better as well!

2:26 PM  
Blogger Giggles said...

What an absolute thrill, he looks marvelous! Handsome and happy! I can feel that mother’s pride you exude! Kids just don’t get how connected we are, through no fault of our own! Such a blessing to see him maneuver into full health! The lord works in mysterious ways!

Hugs Sherrie

3:32 PM  
Blogger gerry rosser said...

I like seeing that smile in his pictures.

12:17 PM  
Blogger Gracey said...

He's our "Walking Miracle" and WE ALL DO CARE!!! :)

1:47 PM  
Blogger Pink Granite said...

WOW!
Being able to chronicle such an ordinary moment is an extraordinary gift!
Congratulations and thank you!
- Lee

7:27 PM  
Blogger søren said...

What a fabulous fabulous event, this getting something from a store. :) Mark, (and Mom) you look amazing and I am so happy to see it.

12:49 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

With a simle like that, we care!

2:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I haven't been able to visit for awhile; but was thrilled (THRILLED!) to stop by today and see this photos. A walking miracle....

9:12 AM  

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