Blast from the Past

I found this picture and decided I needed to scan it. There are really very few of Maggie and me alone, even though 75% of the time, that's how it was - just me and her.

This was taken at an early morning soccer game for on of the boys. When Maggie was little and I could carry her, we went to all the games. That became more difficult as she got older; wheelchairs and fields are not a good combination. She always had fun on these outings, though her favorite sporting event was the basketball games. Those were inside, lasted less than an hour and had all the great noises. Soccer was second and baseball a distant third. The baseball games were too long and too cold for her.

I'm guessing this was 1996 or 1997. As I said on facebook, it is far to late for the Dorothy Hamill haircut I'm sporting.

Miss Maggie more and more every day.

And just for you youngsters. Here's Dorothy Hamill, gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics 

with he haircut that everyone copied. But not for 20 years

And no. I cannot skate. 

I left my heart in Union Square

Graduation Picture!!

There are few pictures more important than one's high school graduation picture. It is a formal shot taken as one stands on the threshold of adulthood. Many of us cringe when we look back at that picture because the hairstyle, glasses or (God forbid) powder blue tux are so dating, but we cannot deny the significance of the picture itself.

In Maggie's case, this picture takes on even more significance. Not a lot of people would have thought Maggie would make it to her high school graduation, but I am looking at the cap and gown sitting right here on my table. She did make it. She didn't just survive against all odds, she is living a wonderful life. Maggie is one of the lucky few who is living the best possible life she can.

This is Maggie's kindergarten picture. She was soooo cute. Of course she was wearing a hat because she was recovering from one of her dozens of shunt surgeries and had a shaved head behind those front curls. You would never know it from the grin. She enjoyed life then, just as she does now.

Now that little girl is all grown up. We received the graduation pictures upon our return from Chicago and I have to say I am very happy with it. 

Somehow I doubt Maggie will look back at this and cringe, even though one more round with the hairbrush might have been a good idea.  

Maggie was a perfect angel while I was at school. We also discovered a likely physical reason for her acting oug. It appears she is getting a UTI, and that makes everyone uncomfortable. It's no wonder she's protesting during changing sessions.

While I was there I snapped a couple of pictures with my phone. I'm still trying to get them over to the computer. Here's Maggie and Juan with Robert in the background. Maggie and Juan use their talkers to greet each other. She must have said "juan" 20 times and he would respond "Maggie." It was hilarious. It is also hilarious and very endearing that Juan, who is latino, has a talker with a British Accent. It makes him VERY exotic.

Sunday Walk

This morning Maggie, Brisco and I walked over to Safeway to get some OJ for breakfast. I was in charge of pushing Maggie's chair and Maggie was in charge of holding Brisco's leash.

I can tell you this much. Brisco was VERY concerned when I walked three steps ahead to take these shots. He did not like me leaving my post. I'm supposed to be behind that chair steering carefully.

The Boyz are in the House!

Maggie is always happiest when both of her brothers are around. Her entire face lights up when the three of them are together. Tim is already here and Eddie was home for the weekend a couple of weeks ago. Maggie just held court please as she could be that they were hanging out.

Tim (19) is holding Maggie (15) and Eddie (21) is mugging for the camera (for a change)