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Friends & Family
James writes:
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| Dad's 75th birthday weekend |
Today, May 7, my dad turns 75.
Over last weekend, Dara and I traveled with my father to Block Island for a brief visit to celebrate this special occasion. My father and I organized a small party with Island friends. This was the first time my dad has been to the Island since his stroke. Great weather, and great friends: It was a wonderful homecoming for him.
James writes:
On December 30, my father suffered a stroke that left a 4-cm bleed in his brain. Against prevailing medical opinion, he is making a near-total recovery. My father had this to say today about his progress: "When you put your mind to it, anything's possible."
My dad met Dara and I today in the lobby of his rehabilitation center. We took a drive over to Mystic, Connecticut to visit his future home at the Academy Point retirement community, where he will reside in 'assisted living.' The place is so nice, Dara and I want to move in too.
My dad is ready to go on to the next step--so starting tomorrow, the gears will be set in motion for his release from rehab.
Along those lines, here is a mesage my dad has left for his friends and family. (Keep in mind that for the last three months of his life, while suffering from expressive aphasia, he hasn't been able to speak more than a few words at a time.)
Next step: planning his 75th birthday party in May with a MacArthuresque return to the Beachead Restaurant on Block Island, where he first fell ill.
In the words of General MacArthur, upon his temporary defeat to Japanese forces in the Philippines: "I shall return."
MONDAY UPDATE: Westerly and Academy Point are on it! Dara and I will make the move with dad this Saturday.