Wednesday, February 28th, 2007: Luca and Tracy enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. Dad is still in Tampa at his certification workshop. He returns tomorrow afternoon. We miss him and can't wait to have him back. This morning, Felicia and Annette showerd Tracy and got her ready for the day. Mom took Betty to her 8 AM appointment at the Rand Eye Institute. Everything checked out fine. Then Mom took Betty to Delray to catch a 12:20 PM bus to visit her sister in Cocoa Beach. After her shower, Felicia and Annette got Tracy in her chair and worked on Speech Therapy. They worked on the same exercises that Anita, Tracy's Speech Therapist at North Broward Medical Center, performed each session. Annette stroked Tracy's left cheek with the various sensory stim items: the feather, the comb, the brush, etc. and Felicia held the Yes switch up to Tracy's right cheek. Tracy hit the Yes switch (by turning her head to the right) each time Annette stroked her right cheek. She responded very quickly, within a matter of seconds. Then it was time for Yes/No questions. Tracy answered NO with her switch when Felicia asked her if she heard Mom's voice in the house this morning. She hit the YES switch when Felicia asked Tracy if Tiffany has already left for DC. She is doing a good job using her switch to answer her YES/NO questions. We will continue to practice use of the switch until Tracy is evaluated by Nova Southeastern for an augmentative assistive communications program/system in two weeks. This afternoon, Mom, Tania, and Felicia got Tracy on the tilt table for her Physical Therapy. Tracy did a good job tolerating an hour on the tilt table, spending about 5 minutes at a maximum incline of 60 degrees. Her vital signs remained stable. Then Tania and Mom got Tracy in long sitting position and Tania got behind her, working on her head and trunk control, leaning Tracy side to side to improve vestibular accommodation. Tracy is still experiencing vertigo and nystagmus issues, and she will be evaluated on March 14th at NBMC Dizziness and Balance Center. This evening, Tracy relaxed on her CPM while it ranged her hips and hamstrings. Mom and Tania caught up on their work and past episodes of Brothers and Sisters. Tomorrow, we plan to take Tracy to Macy's for shopping and a make-over! We are looking forward to Liz's and Sasha's visit next week. Liz arrives Tuesday, March 6th and Sasha arrives Thursday, March 8th, they will stay through the weekend with us. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about our ever changing roles during our life time. "As we bob and weave with the ebb and flow of life our roles change, but our true self remains constant. As spiritual beings having a human experience, we go through many aspects of humanity in one lifetime. Living in the material world of opposites, labels, and classifications, we often identify ourselves by the roles we play, forgetting that these aspects shift and change throughout our lives. But when we anchor ourselves in the truth of our being, that core of spirit within us, we can choose to embrace the new roles as they come, knowing that they give us fresh perspective on life and a greater understanding of the lives of others. As children, we anticipated role changes eagerly in our rush to grow up. Though fairy tales led us to believe that "happily ever after" was a final destination, the truth is that life is a series of destinations, mere stops on a long journey filled with differing terrain. We may need to move through a feeling of resistance as we shift from spouse to parent, leader to subordinate, caregiver to receiver, or even local to newcomer. It can be helpful to bid a fond farewell to the role that we are leaving before we welcome the new. This is the purpose of ceremonies in cultures throughout the world and across time. We can choose from any in existence or create our own to help us celebrate our life shifts and embrace our new adventures. Like actors on the stage of the world, our different roles are just costumes that we inhabit and then shed. Each role we play gives us another perspective through which to understand ourselves and the nature of the universe. When we take a moment to see that each change can be an adventure, a celebration, and a chance to play a new part, we may even be able to recapture the joyful anticipation of our youth as we transition from one role to the next." Lesson of the Day: As We Ebb And Flow Through Life: Changing Roles!

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007: Luca and Tracy had another good night's sleep last night. Dad is still in Tampa at his certification workshop to become a certified Physician Executive. He is studying hard and will take some oral and written exams and be interviewed by his peers this week to obtain his certification. This morning, Felicia bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day. Mom and Betty took Luca for a walk around the neighborhood. It was hot and humid and Luca tuckered out pretty quickly. Mom ended up carrying him! He is spoiled rotten! After her bath, it was time for Tracy's physical therapy and massage session with De. He gave her a massage first and was pleased with Tracy's range of motion in her hips and hamstrings. Then he and Tania worked with Tracy on the peanut ball. He sat behind Tracy while she was seated on the peanut to work on strengthening Tracy's trunk and neck control. Tracy tolerated about 30 minutes seated on the peanut with assistance. De does a great job with Tracy and is an excellent addition to Tracy's team. Next it was time for switch training. Felicia, Betty and Tania worked on the same exercises that Anita, Tracy's Speech Therapist at North Broward Medical Center, performed each session. Tania stroked Tracy's left cheek with the various sensory stim items: the feather, the comb, the brush, etc. and Felicia held the Yes switch up to Tracy's right cheek. Tracy hit the Yes switch (by turning her head to the right) each time Annette stroked her right cheek. She responded very quickly, within a matter of seconds. Then it was time for Yes/No questions. Tracy answered NO with her switch when Felicia asked her if she wanted Betty to sing to her. She also hit the NO switch when Felicia asked Tracy if she wanted to hear Mom and Tania sing. She made an Ahhha sound when Mom asked Tracy if she wanted to hear Dave Matthews sing to her. We will continue to practice use of the switch until Tracy is evaluated by Nova Southeastern for an augmentative assistive communications program/system in two weeks. This afternoon, Mom, Tania, Betty and Luca took Tracy to Speech Therapy with Kristen at FAU for her 4 PM session. Kristen gave Tracy the cutest card and gift bag filled with goodies such as flavored lip gloss, Sangria Splash hand lotion, and a spongey textured flower for sensory stim. She is doing such a good job with Tracy! She worked a little with oral motor skills, applying Tracy's lip gloss and trying to get Tracy to blot her lipstick. Tracy made a few MMM sounds on command but was pretty tired during today's session. Kristen also played some of Tracy's favorite songs: Garth Brooks' Friends In Low Places. Tracy seemed to recognize this song and tried hard to stay awake to listen to it. Tracy does not have Speech Therapy next week because it is FAU's spring break. This evening, Tracy relaxed on her CPM while Betty made dinner and Mom caught up with some office work. Then Mom, Tania and Betty watched the Bob Woodruff special documentary: "To Iraq and Back" on ABC. It was very sad and heartwarming and interestingly paralleled Tracy's hospitalization and journey back to the states from Italy after she was injured in January 2003. We are anxious to see subsequent survivor stories and family accounts of their every day struggles. After this one hour documentary, Mom, Tania and Betty watched The Secret. It was excellent and we highly recommend it for everyone. We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next week. Betty leaves tomorrow for Cocoa Beach for a short visit with her sisters. We will miss her! Tomorrow, Tania, Mom and Felicia will get Tracy on the tilt table for her physical therapy session. The goal is to spend at least one hour on the tilt table with the maximum incline of 60 degrees. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about our own uniqueness and the paths we choose in life. "Sometimes we look at the actions of others and find it difficult to understand what motivates them. But we are all doing the best we can with the information we currently have. We have all been taught how to see the world from the examples of those around us and by our experiences. Keeping this in mind, we can accept the choices made by others while seeking ways to increase the world's level of consciousness as a whole. Our different levels of consciousness are like the developmental stages of children, whose understanding varies according to their age and experience. For example, the behavior of a two-year-old who doesn't want to share can be understood as a phase of his social education, whereas a 16-year-old who behaves in the same manner would be thought to be acting childish. It is important to remember that we are each on our own unique path. We may have chosen certain lessons or made an agreement to play certain roles in the unfolding of the world's understanding before we incarnated in this lifetime. So our job is not to judge others but to shift the balance of understanding in the world by increasing our own. Every thought we have and action we take becomes part of the collective energy of the planet. When we use our energy to bring light into the world, it combines with the light brought by others to dispel the darkness. Though we live in a world of duality, which helps us to experience the material plane, we don't need to experience extremes to understand them. We can share our experiences and understanding with others not from a place of condescension but of connection. When the entire family of humanity understands that each of our thoughts, choices, and actions affect us all, we will share an incredible level of consciousness-one that puts our oneness above all else and helps us evolve into higher expressions of our spiritual selves. Remember the next time you witness an action of another that they are of the same earth as you but simply on a different conscious level at this point in their life. Find compassion, bless them, and move along your day in grace." Lesson of the Day: Understanding Of Oneness: Level Of Consciousness!

Monday, February 26th, 2007: Luca and Tracy both slept well last night. Dad left for Tampa yesterday morning to attend a certification workshop to become a certified Physician Executive. He is studying hard and will take some oral and written exams and be interviewed by his peers this week to obtain his certification. This morning, Annette and Felicia showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. After her shower, it was time for switch training. Annette and Felicia worked with the same exercises that Anita, Tracy's Speech Therapist at North Broward Medical Center, performed each session. Annette stroked Tracy's left cheek with the various sensory stim items: the feather, the comb, the brush, etc. and Felicia held the Yes switch up to Tracy's right cheek. Tracy hit the Yes switch (by turning her head to the right) each time Annette stroked her right cheek. She responded very quickly, within a matter of seconds. Then it was time for Yes/No questions. Tracy answered Yes with her switch when Felicia asked her if she remembered Betty. Tracy also hit the Yes switch when Felicia asked Tracy if she remembered driving Betty's stick shift car on the hilly roads in Naples, Italy. Tracy is doing a good job with her switch training. We will continue to practice her switch training every day until she is evaluated by Nova Southeastern for use of an augmentative assistive communications program/system. Mom and Betty took Luca for a walk in the neighborhood. When they returned, everyone got ready to go out to Houstons for lunch in celebration of Tracy's 25th birthday. Mom, Tiffany, Felicia, Tania, and Betty enjoyed a delicious meal out on the covered patio at Houstons. It stormed but everyone stayed dry under the roof and had fun people and boat watching. This evening, everyone plans to go to Monday evening Spinning at Body Mechanics Health and Fitness Club in Coral Springs. Emil left yesterday evening for Orlando. We hated to see him go and really enjoyed his visit. Tiffany left this afternoon for DC. We loved having her visit us and miss her already! We can't wait for her to visit us again! We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next month. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Thank you Mamaw and Papaw for the pretty skirt and shirt outfit. Thank you everyone for all of your thoughtful gifts for Tracy's birthday! She is very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about celebrating rites of passage such as our birthday! "Birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, baptisms are all rites of passage. We acknowledge these and many other events by taking part in ceremony and ritual with friends and family, or by ourselves. We sing, dance, make speeches, drink, and eat. The ceremony and rituals may be very formal and/or quite elaborate with an abundance of flowers, candles, and decorations. Or, a rite of passage may be marked quietly and simply just by acknowledging it. Sometimes we perform a ritual quietly, in private, to note a personal milestone. Rites of passage mark a transition in our lives. We are a year older, an institution has deemed us wiser, we are united in a loving relationship, we have entered a sacred covenant. We are somehow changed, hopefully for the better but always different than we were before. In some sense, we are transformed and we acknowledge such transformations with ritual celebrations. Traditional ceremonies honor our ethnic and/or spiritual background, even our history. Special words, music, and food are customary and connect us to each other. Then, we may wish to create new rituals of our own. People now partake in ceremonies that celebrate menopause, or mark years of surviving a major illness. These new rites of passage allow us free license to make up our rituals. Instead of feasting, we may fast, choose to be in solitary reflection rather than throwing a big party. We may plant a tree in commemoration of a birth or swim with dolphins to celebrate our 30th birthday. Such do it yourself rituals create new cultural and personal histories, unique to who we are now. Yet, whether we walk a labyrinth alone or chant sutras with family and friends, when we engage in ceremony we are connecting - to the entire universe. Rites of passage honor the past, acknowledge the present, and give us hope for the future." Lesson of the Day: Marking Our Lives : Celebrating Rites of Passage!

Sunday, February 25th, 2007: Luca and Tracy enjoyed a good night's sleep last night. This morning, Tracy vomited (yes vomited) about 6 to 8 ounces immediately following her mornng feeding. It seems that her vertigo made her dizzy and nauseous. Tracy has an appointment at the Dizziness and Balance Center at NBMC on March 14th at 1 PM for a thorough evaluation for central and positional vertigo. Please pray that Tracy will qualify for special Physical Therapy to help resolve her vertigo issues so that she can qualify for therapy again. Dad left for Tampa bright and early this morning to attend a certification workshop to become a certified Physician Executive. Tania, Betty and Tiffany are staying with Mom, Tracy and Luca. This morning, Mom and Joyce showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. Emil gave Mom and Tiffany a much needed massage this afternoon. He left this evening for Orlando to spend some time with his daughter and grandson. We miss him already. This evening, Aunt Diane, Nana, Rose Marie, and Uncle Johnny came over for dinner and to watch the Oscars. Tiffany, Mom, and Rose Marie cooked tortellini with Italian sausage, fresh peppers, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. It was delicious. Tracy is doing a good job tolerating all of her splinting devices and CPM sessions. She has been wearing her dynasplints all night which seems to be helping improve her range of motion. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about feeling happy for other's successes. " Extending ourselves to celebrate the happiness of others requires a generosity of spirit that we sometimes find only in the process of doing it. The struggle with being happy for others presents itself early in life. If a child wants a toy and another child has it, the child will try to get it or will break down in tears. Those primal feelings are still present in most of us, and we have to acknowledge them when they arise. At the same time, it is when we care enough for someone to let go of what we want for ourselves that we grow as people. It can be a difficult dance to find ourselves suspended between wanting the toy and throwing a party for our friend who got the toy. Yet, it is in throwing the party that we share in the joy-and, to some extent, the toy-rather than cutting ourselves out of it. Extending ourselves to celebrate the happiness of others requires a generosity of spirit that we sometimes find only in the process of doing it. So when your best friend moves to Spain with the person you had a crush on, tend to your broken heart but throw them a going away party too." Lesson of the Day: Generosity of Spirit : Being Happy For Others!

Saturday, February 24th, 2007: Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. This morning, Mom, Tiffany and Aunt Diane went to Spinning in Coral Springs at 9 AM. Dad and Felicia got Tracy bathed and ready for the day. This morning, Dad and Felicia stretched and ranged Tracy and then it was time to go outside to catch some rays. Felicia gave Tracy a pedicure and manicure with the pretty red polish that Tania gave Tracy for her birthday. She does such a good job! This afternoon, Tracy spent an hour and a half on each leg on the CPM machine to stretch her hamstrings and hips. Then it was time to get ready for Tracy's birthday dinner at the yacht club with family and close friends. Emil surprised Tracy just in time for dinner. Nana,, Aunt Diane, Chip, Eileen, Rose Marie, Anita, Tania, Felicia, her son Chauncey and daughter Jayelle, Mom, Dad and Tiffany were there to celebrate Tracy's 25th birthday. We sure did miss the rest of the family, but knew they were with Tracy in spirit. Everyone had a great time, espeically Tracy! Tomorrow, Tracy will spend time outside in the fresh air and sunshine since she does not have any "offical" therapy. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about feeling a little crazy when things around us seem out of balance. "Most of us feel a little crazy from time to time. Periods of high stress can make us feel like we're losing it, as can being surrounded by people whose values are very different from our own. Losing a significant relationship and moving into a new life situation are other events that can cause us to feel off kilter. Circumstances like these recur in our lives, and they naturally affect our mental stability. The symptoms of our state of mind can range from having no recollection of putting our car keys where we eventually find them, to wondering if we're seeing things clearly when everyone around us seems to be in denial of what's going on right in front of their eyes. For most of us, the key to survival at times like these is to step back, take a deep breath, and regain our composure. Then we can decide what course of action to take. Sometimes a time-out does the trick. We take a day off from whatever is making us feel crazy and, like magic, we feel in our right mind again. Talking to an objective friend can also help. We begin to see what it is about the situation that destabilizes us, and we can make changes from there. At other times, if the situation is particularly sticky, we may need to seek professional help. Meeting with someone who understands the way the human mind reacts to stress, loss, and difficulty can make us feel less alone and more supported. A therapist or a spiritual counselor can give us techniques that help bring us back to a sane state of mind so that we can affect useful changes. They can also mirror our basic goodness, helping us to see that we are actually okay. The main purpose of the wake-up call that feeling crazy provides is to let us know that something in our lives is out of balance. Confirm for yourself that you are capable of creating a sane and peaceful reality for yourself. Try to remember that most people have felt, at one time or another, that they are losing it. You deserve a life that helps you thrive. Try and take some steps today to help you achieve more balance and a little less crazy. "The main purpose of the wake-up call that feeling crazy provides is to let us know that something in our lives is out of balance. Confirm for yourself that you are capable of creating a sane and peaceful reality for yourself. Try to remember that most people have felt, at one time or another, that they are losing it. You deserve a life that helps you thrive. Try and take some steps today to help you achieve more balance and a little less crazy." Lesson of the Day: Losing It: You Are Not Crazy!

Friday, February 23rd, 2007: Luca slept well last night, but Tracy was up most of the night. This morning, Annette and Felicia stretched and ranged Tracy and then it was time for her shower. Tracy has been doing a good job tolerating all of her splinting devices and CPM machine. After her shower, it was time for switch training. Annette and Felicia worked with the same exercises that Anita, Tracy's Speech Therapist at North Broward Medical Center, performed each session. Annette stroked Tracy's left cheek with the various sensory stim items: the feather, the comb, the brush, etc. and Felicia held the Yes switch up to Tracy's right cheek. Tracy hit the Yes switch (by turning her head to the right) each time Annette stroked her right cheek. She responded very quickly, within a matter of seconds. Then it was time for Yes/No questions. Tracy did a good job answering the questions using her switches, even though she was pretty sleepy. After her switch training, Mom, Betty, Tania, Luca and Tracy boarded the van and headed to Pier 1 Outlet and TJ Max for some shopping. Felicia went home early because she was not feeling well. We hope she feels better soon. They stopped off at Starbucks in Hillsboro for some lattes and lunch. It was a beautiful day so they sat outside in the sunshine to soak up some rays. This evening, Betty treated us to take out Thai food from Tamarind. It was so good! We even ordered sea food since it is Friday and Lent! Tiffany made it in safely from Northern Virginia after her flight was delayed an hour. Dad picked her up in Ft. Lauderdale. It is so nice to have her visiting us for Tracy's birthday! Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy so we will get Tracy outside on the patio for a manicure and a pedicure. Tania got Tracy some pretty nail polish for her birthday so she will have a lot of colors to pick from. We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next month. Cousin Michelle and Bill are also in town. We hope to see them tomorrow evening after dinner! Emil surprised Tracy with a visit! It is so great to have him here. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Thank you Dr. and Debbie Rand and family for the adorable teddy bear basket! It is filled with the cutest things: lip gloss, bath gel, a candle, a beach teddy bear, and many Happy Birthday balloons. Thank you Aunt Candy and family for the cute outfits. Luca even got a cute black tee shirt that says "Spoiled Rotten" on it! How true! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about celebrating rites of passage such as our birthday! "Birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, baptisms are all rites of passage. We acknowledge these and many other events by taking part in ceremony and ritual with friends and family, or by ourselves. We sing, dance, make speeches, drink, and eat. The ceremony and rituals may be very formal and/or quite elaborate with an abundance of flowers, candles, and decorations. Or, a rite of passage may be marked quietly and simply just by acknowledging it. Sometimes we perform a ritual quietly, in private, to note a personal milestone. Rites of passage mark a transition in our lives. We are a year older, an institution has deemed us wiser, we are united in a loving relationship, we have entered a sacred covenant. We are somehow changed, hopefully for the better but always different than we were before. In some sense, we are transformed and we acknowledge such transformations with ritual celebrations. Traditional ceremonies honor our ethnic and/or spiritual background, even our history. Special words, music, and food are customary and connect us to each other. Then, we may wish to create new rituals of our own. People now partake in ceremonies that celebrate menopause, or mark years of surviving a major illness. These new rites of passage allow us free license to make up our rituals. Instead of feasting, we may fast, choose to be in solitary reflection rather than throwing a big party. We may plant a tree in commemoration of a birth or swim with dolphins to celebrate our 30th birthday. Such do it yourself rituals create new cultural and personal histories, unique to who we are now. Yet, whether we walk a labyrinth alone or chant sutras with family and friends, when we engage in ceremony we are connecting - to the entire universe. Rites of passage honor the past, acknowledge the present, and give us hope for the future." Lesson of the Day: Marking Our Lives : Celebrating Rites of Passage!

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007: ~ Luca and Tracy slept well again last night. This morning, Felicia and Annette stretched and ranged Tracy and then it was time for her bath. After her bath, Tracy selected a cute pair of gray drawstring pants with turquoise flowers and a matching top. She is doing a good job with her switches. This morning, Mom and Tania brought the van in for a service check, after the engine light kept coming on. While they were gone, Annette and Felicia worked with Tracy on her switch training, using the same protocol that Anita uses during Speech Therapy. The goal is to keep practicing so that she will be on her game when we get her evaluated for an augmentative assistive communication system by Nova Southeastern on March 13th and 20th. After her switch training, Mom, Tania, Betty, Felicia and Luca got Tracy on the therapy mat on the patio to work on trunk and head control. Tania stretched Tracy's trunk, hamstrings, and feet and then sat her on the peanut ball to practice head control. Tracy tolerated about 20 to 30 minutes and then it was time to get her on the mat in long sitting position. She did a good job vocalizing some sounds: Mamamama, Ahhh, etc. Please pray that Tracy begins to talk soon. May be for her 25th birthday! This evening, Mom and Aunt Diane headed to the gym for a 6:30 PM Spinning class. The traffic was so bad that they got there 20 minutes late. So, they decided to work out on the cardio machines instead. It has been about 35 years since Mom and Aunt Diane have worked out together. They had a good time. When they returned, Dad had grilled pork chops and steamed fresh veggies for dinner. Mom, Betty, Aunt Diane and Dad enjoyed a quiet dinner while Tracy rested on the CPM in her bed. It is working out much better for Tracy to be on the CPM in the evening, so that she can have her days free to spend outside in the beautiful weather. Tania is planning some day trips to museums, the beach, and shopping soon. Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy so we will get Tracy outside on the patio on the mat for therapy. We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next month. Tiffany arrives tomorrow evening and we are really excited about her visit for Tracy's birthday! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about our ancestors' means of understanding their roles in a complicated world. "Many millennia ago in northern Europe, ancient peoples sought a means to understand their roles in the world at large. They created runes-an alphabet of symbols that served both as a functional writing system and as a unique system of divination. Though the symbols themselves were little more than varying combinations of straight lines carved on natural mediums such as wood, stone, or bone, these individuals devised a method of comprehending the past, making sense of the present, and interpreting the future using the runes as guides. The significance of each symbol was a product of its general orientation once cast and its location with respect to other runes. In the present, runes can play the same role in our lives that they played in the chronicles of distant history. Through them, we open ourselves to a form of universal guidance that helps us help ourselves. There are many casting styles, each of which serves an individual function. Casting a single rune can help you answer specific questions or choose a daily meditation subject. Three runes, cast during confusing or distressing situations, provide you with insights into the past, present, and future-as represented by the first, second, and third runes cast, respectively. A nine-rune cast can help you understand where you are on your spiritual path. The runes that land face up relate to your current circumstances and the events leading up to them, and any runes touching are read as concurrences. Rune readings, however, are by their very nature subjective and open to interpretation. Your casting style should reflect your intuitive knowledge of your needs. Grabbing a handful of runes to cast at random can be just as effective as choosing a set number to cast. Whether you buy your runes or carve them yourself is less important than your sincere desire to understand the messages conveyed to you via this alphabet of enlightenment. Your intentions will have a direct impact on the wisdom you receive while casting. The runes are representative of forces outside of the realm of human understanding, so your intent will act as your anchor. By simply reading the runes, you will find illumination in the unlimited possibilities laid out before you in each new cast." Lesson of the Day: An Alphabet Of Enlightenment : Runes!

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007: ~ Luca and Tracy enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. Tracy vomited about 3 or 4 ounces this morning before her shower. This morning, Felicia and Mom showered Tracy and got her ready for her trip to see Dr. Rubin in the Spasticity Clinic. He evaluated Tracy's spasticity in response to the 1100 units of BoTox that she received January 20th. He was pleased with Tracy's response to the BoTox and made notes regarding minor adjustments for her next injections in April. Dad discussed Tracy's vertigo and vomiting and Dr. Rubin recommended Physical Therapy to help with Tracy's vertigo. Tracy has an appointment on March 14th at the Dizziness and Balance Center for an evaluation of her vertigo. More on this later. When we returned from Miami, Mom and Betty took Luca for a walk around the neighborhood while Tania stayed with Tracy. It was time for Tracy to stretch on the CPM machine and she relaxed in her bed and listened to reggae. The trip to Miami is a very long and stressful one, and it is a good thing that Tracy only has to go once every two or three months. This evening, Mom, Dad, Tracy and Betty went to Mass for Ash Wednesday at 7 PM at St. Paul's Church in Lighthouse Point. After Mass, Betty treated everyone to dinner at Bonefish Macs. Everyone had a nice time. Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy so we will get Tracy outside on the patio on the mat for therapy. We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next month. Tiffany arrives Friday and we are really excited about her visit for Tracy's birthday! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about remaining open even through hurtful confrontations. "Hurtful confrontations often leave us feeling drained and confused. When someone attacks us emotionally, we may wonder what we did to rouse their anger, and we take their actions personally. We may ask ourselves what we could have done to compel them to behave or speak that way toward us. It's important to remember that there are no real targets in an emotional attack and that it is usually a way for the attacker to redirect their uncomfortable feelings away from themselves. When people are overcome by strong emotions, like hurt or anguish, they may see themselves as victims and lash out at others as a means of protection or to make themselves feel better. You may be able to shield yourself from an emotional attack by not taking the behavior personally. First, however, it is good to cultivate a state of detachment that can provide you with some protection from the person who is attacking you. This will allow you to feel compassion for this person and remember that their behavior isn't as much about you as it is about their need to vent their emotions. If you have difficulty remaining unaffected by someone's behavior, take a moment to breathe deeply and remind yourself that you didn't do anything wrong, and you aren't responsible for people's feelings. If you can see that this person is indirectly expressing a need to you-whether they are reaching out for help or wanting to be heard-you may be able to diffuse the attack by getting them to talk about what is really bothering them. You cannot control other people's emotions, but you can control your own. If you sense yourself responding to their negativity, try not to let yourself. Keep your heart open to them, and they may let go of their defensiveness and yield to your compassion and openness". Lesson of the Day: Choosing Not To Be A Target : Emotional Attacks!

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007: ~ Luca and Tracy slept well again last night. This morning, before her bath, Felicia and Annette stretched and ranged Tracy, o keep Tracy's joints and extremities flexible. The BoTox seems to be working, because Tracy's wrists and fingers are supple with good range of motion. This morning, Felicia and Annette bathed Tracy and got her ready for her 9:30 AM appointment with De. He spent some time stretching Tracy and then it was time to put her on the tilt table for weight bearing and standing with assistance. Tracy tolerated the gradual incline, and was able to reach 60 degrees where she stayed for about one minute. Her pulse increased at this incline, and so De lowered her back down to about 50 degrees. Her blood pressure remained stable throughout her session, which is a very good sign. After the tilt table session, it was time for Tracy's massage. She really likes De's massages, and relaxes into his stretches. He is another one of Tracy's angels, extremely talented, with healing hands. This afternoon, Mom, Luca and Tania took Tracy to FAU for Speech Therapy with Kristen, Tracy's new masters student. Tracy really seems to like Kristen and was very responsive during her session. Kristen spent the first part of the session asking Tracy Yes/No questions with her Talking Buddy Switches. She brought in pictures of hot movie stars: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Josh Holloway, etc. She asked Tracy questions about the cuties and Tracy would respond with her Yes/No switches. Nothing like a cute guy to motivate our girl! Next, Kristen worked with Tracy's lips using flavored lip gloss and refreezable ice cubes to stimulate her lips/mouth. Tracy did a good job moving her lips in response to the oral stimulation. At the end of Tracy's session, Mom asked Tracy if Luca was her puppy, using the Yes/No switches. Tracy laughed and hit the No switch. Then Mom asked Tracy if Luca was her puppy, and Tracy answered hitting the Yes switch. She laughed again. Mom is guilty of spending a lot of time holding Luca while Tracy is in therapy. Mom wants to train Luca to be a therapy dog! Tracy got her point across and it was well taken. Mom will let Tracy hold Luca more often during the day! Tomorrow, Tracy has an appointment with Dr. Rubin at the Spasticity Clinic in Miami. We are enjoying Betty's visit and can't wait for Liz to come next month. Tiffany arrives Friday and we are really excited about her visit for Tracy's birthday! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the importance of connecting to our center to determine our best use of energy. "In our culture today, we are constantly encouraged to consume. This includes food as well as purchasing ever newer items that we may not need, often using money that we may not actually have. It could be that we are trying to fill a void we feel within ourselves, but if we take the time to examine it, we know deep inside that this is not the solution. We may notice how quickly the joy fades after our purchase or once the food we've enjoyed is gone, and how soon we feel the urge to do so again. This is a symptom of disconnection from our true selves, so the first step toward balance is connection to our center. When we connect to our center, we access the fullness of who we are as an individual spirit. We also connect to the energy source of the universe, from which nothing can be lacking. It could be that we have been energetically starving ourselves but trying to feed the need physically, outwardly. Once we make the decision to reconnect, we have the ability to examine the behavior from a higher place within ourselves. We can look, without judgment, at the thoughts and feelings that occur before and after our indulgences to find a pattern. We may want to keep track of these observations in a journal so that we can go back if we lose our way. Often boredom is the main cause for the desire to eat or shop. But when we connect to our center, our intuition can more clearly guide us to the places where our energy can best be used. We can replace the boredom with a meditation practice, a class, a project, seeking a new job, or getting involved in a charity. We may even want to begin planning an adventurous trip. Whatever inspires us tells us the direction we should go. When we find the place we are meant to be, we become so consumed by its constant creation that the frivolous filling of an imaginary void becomes a thing of the past. Lesson of the Day: Consuming To Heal : Filling Imaginary Voids!

Monday, February 19th, 2007: ~ Luca and Tracy both slept well last night. Before her shower, Felicia and Annette stretched and ranged Tracy, making sure that all of her extremities stay flexible and in tip top shape. This morning, Felicia and Annette ahowered Tracy and got her ready for the day! Annette is back from her trip and we are glad to see her. Tania is back too, and feeling so much better! Tracy is doing a good job choosing between two outfits each morning using her switches to respond with Yes/No! Mom and Felicia ask Tracy whether she wants to wear one of the outfits and Tracy will respond by hitting the Yes (right) or No (left) switch. Then, they validate her response by asking her about the outfit that did not select. Tracy spent several hours this morning on her CPM, stretching and ranging each leg for about an hour and forty-five minutes. She really seems to relax and enjoy her CPM sessions. They are a lot like taking a yoga class! This evening, Tania stayed with Tracy while Mom, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Diane, and Nana went to Spin class. It was Diane's first Spin class and she really did well. Dad stayed at the office in Miami to complete several exams in an effort to obtain his certification as a Physician Executive. He will attend a tutorial next week in Tampa to finish the last requirements. This evening, Dad picked up our good friend Betty who arrived very late from Naples, Italy. She will be staying with us for about a week. It is always great to see her. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about learning how to recognize our personal growth and rewarding ourselves accordingly. "Since personal evolution is most often a slow and gradual process, it can be difficult to recognize the scope of the changes taking place in our lives. Yet it is important that we regularly acknowledge our ongoing growth and reward ourselves for the many wonderful feats of self-improvement we have accomplished. When we intentionally contemplate our progress, we need never feel that we are languishing between past achievements and the realization of future goals. If we look closely at our lives, we may see that much of what brings us pleasure in the present is representative of the ambitions of our past that we worked so hard to attain. At one time, the abundance we enjoy currently likely seemed like a far-off dream. Now it is simply reality-a reality we created through our diligence, passion, and unflagging determination. Whether our progress is fast or slow, we deserve to congratulate ourselves for our successes. To remind yourself of the insights you have gained with time, temporarily adopt an outsider's perspective and carefully consider how your life in the present differs from the range of experiences you lived through in the past. Creating a written list, in a journal or otherwise, of those strengths, aptitudes, and inner qualities you now attribute to yourself can help you accept that you are not the same person you were one year ago, five years ago, or 10 years ago. Your attitudes, opinions, and values were likely markedly different, and these differences can be ascribed to your willingness to accept that you still have much to learn. If you have difficulty giving yourself credit for these changes, think about the goals you realized, the lives you touched, the wisdom you acquired, and the level of enlightenment you attained over the past years. Recognizing growth is neither boastful nor immodest. Evolution is a natural fact of life and becomes a potent motivational force when celebrated. Knowing that you are brighter, stronger, and more grounded than you once were, you can look forward to the changes to come. In acknowledging your growth, you build a sturdy foundation upon which you can continue to blossom well into the future." Lesson of the Day: Foundations of Evolution : Acknowledging Your Growth!

Sunday, February 18th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. This morning, Mom and Joyce bathed Tracy and got her dressed for 12 noon Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Lighthouse Point. Dad brought everyone lattes and scones from Starbucks! After Mass, Nana and Aunt Diane came over to spend the afternoon with us. Later, Uncle Johnny and Tim joined us. Mom made baked breaded tilapia in the convection oven with black beans and rice and a big salad. Everyone enjoyed it. After dinner, Tim cut Tracy's hair. It is a shoulder length layered cut and looks so cute on her! This evening, Tracy vomited about 6 to 8 ounces of her feeding. We are not sure what caused her nausea and vomiting. Dad thinks it is precipitated by her dizziness and vertigo. We will continue to monitor this. Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy. The goal is to get her on the tilt table for 30 to 40 minutes at about 45 to 50 degrees. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Our good friend Betty from Naples, Italy arrives on February 19th! We are looking forward to her visit! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It teaches us how to reacquaint with ourselves when we are in uncharted territory. " map to figure out where we are and how to get to our chosen destination. This works well, assuming that there is a map of the territory in which we find ourselves, and assuming that we know our destination. However, this is not always the case. At this time in human history, we are all venturing into uncharted territory, whether we know it or not. And as individuals, we may find ourselves covering ground that our predecessors never even knew existed. When we look to them for guidance, they often come up short. Not knowing exactly where we are, we find ourselves unsure of which way to go, and eventually the uneasy feeling that we are lost presents itself. The beauty of being lost is the same thing that makes it scary—it asks us to look within ourselves to find the way. If we have no map, we must go on instinct, relying on our inner compass to show us which way to go. This can be scary because so much seems to be riding on it. We fear we might go too far in the wrong direction, or become paralyzed and make no progress at all. And yet, this is the very challenge we need to develop our ability to trust ourselves. We are also learning to trust that the universe will support and guide us. We may believe this intellectually, but it is only through experience that it becomes knowledge of the heart. Learning to be okay with being lost and trusting that we will be guided, we begin our journey." Lesson of the Day: Uncharted Territory: Feeling Lost!

Saturday, February 17th, 2007 (49 Months Since Tracy's Cardiac Arrest and Subsequent Anoxic Brain Injury): ~ Tracy and Luca had a good night's sleep last night. Before her shower, Dad and Felicia stretched and ranged Tracy, to get her ready for standing with support on the tilt table. After her shower, it was time to put Tracy on the tilt table. This was the first time that we have used the tilt table in a long time. Dad and Felicia transferred Tracy to the tilt table while Mom got the blood pressure cuff and the pulse ox machine. They got her strapped in and raised her gradually to 30 degrees. Her vital signs remained stable throughout the 25 minutes she was on the tilt table and the highest incline they took Tracy to on her initial trial was 40 degrees. Tracy did a good job tolerating her first time. Next time, we plan to use her dynasplint on her right leg to give her some additional support. This afternoon, Mom had an appointment at 1 PM in Lake Worth and Dad went to Publix to do the grocery shopping. This evenng, Tracy rested in her bed while she was on the CPM machine to range her hips and hamstrings. Tania stayed with Tracy while Mom and Dad went to the Diabetes Research Institute annual fundraising event: Love and Hope Ball in Hollywood at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa. They were guests of Debbie and Dr. Rand, very close friends of the family. They had a great time! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Our good friend Betty from Naples, Italy arrives on February 19th! We are looking forward to her visit! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It teaches us how to recognize our limits in conserving energy for those activities that we love to do! "Every human life is defined, to some extent, by limits. No one person is capable of fulfilling every possibility. We are all born with unique aptitudes and sensitivities, and it is these qualities that largely determine the paths we will travel in life. What invigorates, excites, and inspires one individual may exhaust or overwhelm another. When we understand what we as individuals are capable of reasonably handling, we gradually learn to accept that we have control over our wellbeing. Yet determining where our limits lie can be difficult, as it is likely we have been told time and again that the discomfort, fatigue, and stress we felt while engaging in activities outside the range of our comfort zones was all in our heads. If you have never before given thought to the notion of personal limits, creating a list of those tasks and situations that leave you feeling drained can give you insight into your own. You will know definitively that you are operating within your limits when you have the necessary energy and drive to address your personal and professional commitments. This is not to say you should not push yourself or work to extend the range of your capabilities. The wisdom you gain through dynamic self-examination will give you the tools you need to create an individual life strategy that allows you to achieve your goals without compromising yourself or your needs. The limits you honor by focusing your energy on what you can do rather than what you cannot do will not interfere with your ambitions unless you allow them to interfere. You can thrive within your limits, actively shape your circumstances, and avoid anguish by simply recognizing that certain aspects of life nourish you while others drain you, and doing your best to perceive the fine line between applying yourself diligently and overworking yourself." Lesson of the Day: Knowing Your Limits: Energy To Spare!

Friday, February 16th, 2007: ~ Luca had another good night's sleep last night, however, Tracy was up laughing and making lots of sounds most of the night. It was a cold night with temperatures in the high forties, pretty unusual for this part of Florida. Before her bath, Felicia and Yvonne stretched and ranged Tracy, making sure that all of her extremities stay flexible and in tip top shape. This morning, Felicia and Yvonne bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day! Annette is away and will be back on Monday! We sure do miss her. Tania is still home sick with a cold. We miss her and hope she feels better soon. After her bath, Tracy picked out a soft coral colored sweat suit using her switches. She picked this outfit over a soft baby blue sweat suit. Tracy looks great in anything! Next, it was time for Tracy's CPM session to range her hips and hamstrings. She spent one hour and forty five minutes on the right leg and two hours and fifiteen minutes on the left leg, ranging both hips and hamstrings. While one leg was in the CPM, the other foot/ankle was in the Dynasplint dorsiflexed for an hour and a half. Mom went for a short run that ended up being about six miles around Lighthouse Point. It was a crisp clear day with plenty of sunshine so Mom kept running, and running, and running, just like Forrest Gump! This afternoon, it was time to take Tracy to Speech Therapy for her 3 PM appointment with Anita. Tracy has been so much more alert and awake since Dad decreased her stimulant (Amantadine) from two pills a day to one a day. During Speech, Tracy did a good job answering Yes/No questions with her switches. She has been averaging anywhere from 60 to 80 percent accuracy in her responses, with response times ranging from 5 seconds to up to a minute. Today was Tracy last Speech Therapy session with Anita, because Medicare will not approve any additional sessions due to unreasonal government criteria. We will continue to practice switch training at home with Tracy to get her ready for her evaluations with Nova Southeastern on March 13th and 20th. Anita has scheduled an appointment with Tracy on Friday, March 2nd at 3 PM in preparation for her Nova Southeastern evaluations. This evening, Mom, Dad and Tracy went to the New Member's Reception at the yacht club. They met a lot of new friends and neighbors and Tracy seemed to have a nice time. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Thank you Tania for the beautiful murano glass heart pendant for Tracy! It is beautiful! Thank you Tiffany for the pretty Victorian Mini Rose pot. They are so beautiful! We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Our good friend Betty from Naples, Italy arrives on February 19th! We are looking forward to her visit! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about using our outside voice to free our inner desires. "Each of us has developed an internal filtering process that helps us choose which parts of our constant inner monologues get voiced outside of our heads. Sometimes the choice is based on what we consider to be polite or appropriate, using subtlety instead of directness to try to get our point across. Other times the choice is made based on our expectations of the other person and what we feel they should know about us, our feelings, and our needs. But our best chance of getting what we need is to communicate specifically by converting our inner voice to our outside voice. This may seem unnecessary sometimes, especially when we think the other person has the same information we ourselves are working with, but we have to remember they also have their own inner voice, evaluating what they hear in light of their own issues and needs. With so much to consider and sift through, we are truly better off if we communicate precisely. Not only does doing this minimize the chance for misinterpretation, but voicing our thoughts it is an act of creation. We convert thought and imagination to sound, releasing it from the chamber of our minds into the outside world. This carries energy and intention with it, making our thoughts, wishes, and even dreams come true. When we have the courage to speak our minds and use our voice to send the desires of our hearts from our inner world to the world outside, we take a bold step in making them happen. By removing fear of what others may think and expectation of what others should understand, we free ourselves and our thoughts from the bondage of the mental chamber and let loose our desires onto the canvas of the world. Next time we become aware that we have a choice about how to communicate, we can choose to use our outside voice and watch its creative power at work." Lesson of the Day: Freeing Our Inner Desires : Using Our Outside Voice!

Thursday, February 15th, 2007 (49 Months Since Tracy Was Hit By The Car In Naples, Italy!): ~ Tracy and Luca enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. Before her shower, Felicia and Yvonne stretched and ranged Tracy, making sure that all of her extremities stay flexible and in tip top shape. This morning, Felicia and Yvonne showered Tracy and got her ready for the day! Annette is away and will be back on Monday! We sure do miss her. Tania is out sick with a cold today! We miss her too. After her shower, Tracy picked out cute baby pink and green Hawaiian capri length surf pants with little palm trees and Hawaiian lingo such as Aloha, etc. She picked this outfit over a bright yellow tunic top with bright yellow, turquoise, and white striped pants. Tracy looks great in anything. Next, it was time for Tracy's CPM session to range her hips and hamstrings. She spent one and a half hours on each leg, getting full range of both hips and hamstrings. While one leg was in the CPM, the other foot/ankle was in the Dynasplint dorsiflexed for an hour and a half. This afternoon, it was time to take Tracy to Speech Therapy for her 3 PM appointment with Anita. Tracy has been so much more alert and awake since Dad decreased her stimulant (Amantadine) from two pills a day to one a day. During Speech, Tracy made some good sounds. In fact, we all thought we heard Tracy say NO to one of Anita's questions. Anita continues to collect data so that she will have a comprehensive report for Nova Southeastern when Tracy is evaluated on March 13th and 20th. Tracy has been doing a good job answering Anita's questions with her Yes/No switches. Today, she was trying real hard to answer the questions using her voice. She even laughed several times during the session. Tracy has another session with Anita tomorrow at 3 PM at NBMC. This evening, Tracy rested in her bed while Mom and Dad finished up some chores that were pending in the study! We are still going through a lot of stuff left over from the move. Mom made it through several boxes of books to donate to North Broward Medical Center to raise money for their scholarship program. Tomorrow, Tracy has Speech Therapy at 3 PM with Anita at NBMC. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Thank you Tania for the beautiful murano glass heart pendant for Tracy! It is beautiful! Thank you Tiffany for the pretty Victorian Mini Rose pot. They are so beautiful! Tomorrow, Tracy has Speech Therapy at 3 PM with Anita at NBMC. We can't wait for Tiffany to visit us for Tracy's birthday! She will be here from February 23rd to the 26th! Our good friend Betty from Naples, Italy arrives on February 19th! We are looking forward to her visit! Liz, our good friend from Maryland is coming to spend a week with us on March 6th. We can't wait to see her! It's been way too long! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about creating a spiritual place in your home: an altar! "If you didn't grow up with an altar in your home, having an altar now may seem like an exotic and unattainable idea. Yet having an altar does not have to be complicated or difficult, nor does it need to be based on a religion or a set of ideas that don't seem to relate to you. An altar can be a simple, personal expression of what you want to focus on right now. You do not have to build anything or take up a lot of space. You do not have to buy anything new or follow a complex set of instructions to create your altar. All you have to do is have a general understanding of what an altar is and the willingness to allow yourself access to this wonderful, ancient tool of transformation. At its most essential, an altar is simply a raised structure that serves as a resting place for meaningful objects. It focuses the eye and provides a place for contemplation and, if so desired, ritual. All of these elements can be quite simple. One idea for a simple altar is a pot with a bulb planted in it, set on a box. This altar to growth can act as a reminder to you that all living things bloom in their time. A simple ritual might be to write down dreams you would like to see come to fruition on scraps of paper. You might place these scraps of paper in the box, or under the flowerpot, or in an envelope you prop against the pot. As the flower grows, so will your dreams. If you look around your home, you may find that you have already created altarlike arrangements without even really thinking about it; this is something we humans do quite naturally. A candle, a decorative box, and a vase of flowers are just a few of the common household objects that lend themselves naturally to the creation of an altar. Simply add intention and intuition, and you have created your first altar. Remember that it isn't necessarily about the objects you place at your altar-it is the time you spend with it daily, taking the time to be with it for your sacred time." Lesson of the Day: Intention And Intuition : The Purpose Of An Altar!

Wednesday, February 14th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. This morning, Felicia bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day! Annette is away and will be back on Monday! After her bath, it was time for Tracy's CPM session to range her hips and hamstrings. She had time for an hour and forty five minute session on her left leg which seems more tight than her right leg. This morning, Mom took Luca to the vet, Dr. Phillips, for his third set of shots. She weighed Luca and he now weighs three and a half pounds. He was a good puppy when they gave him his shots. They gave him Cheese Whiz to distract him! He loves Cheese Whiz! He also got his nails clipped. As soon as he gets his last set of shots in three weeks, Mom is going to take him to the groomer. When Mom returned, Tania, Mom and Tracy took Luca for a walk around the neighborhood. The vet recommended that we walk Luca on the side walk so he can wear down his newly clipped toe nails. We walked for a while, but he kept pooping out and Mom had to periodically carry him. Mom thinks the shot of benadryl the doctor gave him with his shots wiped him out! When we returned from our walk, it was time to get Tracy on the mat on the patio for some Physical Therapy. Mom, Felicia, and Tania worked on getting Tracy on her knees over the peanut ball. Tracy was very uncomfortable in this position and began to cry, so they got her off her knees and on her side where she was much more comfortable. Mom and Tania stretched Tracy on her side while she was relaxing. Then they got her in long sitting and stretched her trunk, chest, shoulders, and arms. Tania got behind Tracy and Mom got in front and they simulated rowing like a human Erg machine! Tracy always challenged herself during her crew days at the University of Miami. She always would talk about her Erg workouts with the team during crew practice at UM. Mom wants to work on passive rowing with Tracy to activate her muscle memory. Next, Mom and Tania rocked Tracy from side to side and also front to back. Tracy tolerated this initially and then, you guessed it, she threw up! She is still having problems with vertigo and vomiting, which is the major reason for her discharge from the NBMC Physical Therapy program. Tracy has an appointment for a complete evaluation and treatment (hopefully) at the Dizziness and Balance Center at NBMC on March 14th at 2 PM. More on this later... This evening, Tracy rested in her bed while Mom made penne pasta with shrimp and mushrooms and green beans and artichoke casserole for dinner. Then they watched last Monday's 24 (two hour special)! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Tomorrow, Tracy has Speech Therapy at 3 PM with Anita at NBMC. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the constant struggle to achieve optimal balance between the spiritual and the physical in our daily lives. "Striking the right balance between our physical and spiritual aspects is one of the most challenging aspects of existence. We are dual beings by nature, spiritual entities bound to earth by physical bodies. In our lifetimes, we are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending both with equal devotion and love. Yet while both aspects of the self are deserving of honor and respect, there is a tendency for people who are more spiritually focused to ignore, avoid, or dismiss their bodies. Similarly, many individuals are entirely ensconced in the carnal realm and pay no attention to the needs of the soul. In both cases, an adjustment is in order. We are whole only to the degree that we embrace both sides of our beings. If the soul is the inward manifestation of our consciousness, the body is the living, breathing expression of that consciousness. The physical self provides the home in which the spiritual self takes root and flourishes. Just as we must tend to the seed of the soul to ensure that it grows strong, so, too, must we care for the protective shell that is the body to make certain it is capable of playing its role in our development. Though there will no doubt be times in our lives when we feel more comfortable focusing on the spiritual self or the physical self, denying the fundamental importance of one or the other can lead to ill health, emotional distress, and a sense of incompleteness. Both facets of the human experience play a vital role in our well-being. The body and the soul are the yin and yang of our current reality. They are, at this point of human evolution, irreparably bound together, and many spiritual teachers agree that the body is one of the greatest vehicles through which to access the soul. In fact, many believe that our spirit has chosen to be embodied as an essential part of our spiritual development. Consequently, it is the responsibility of each person on the planet to forge a marriage between the two, so that these disparate aspects bring out the best in each other, creating a vibrant, dynamic, and workable whole." Lesson of the Day: The Pursuit Of Conscious Wholeness : Earthbound!

Tuesday, February 13th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca enjoyed another great night's sleep last night. This morning, Felicia and Annette showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. After her shower, it was time for Tracy's CPM session to range her hips and hamstrings. She had time for one hour on her right leg before De came at 11 AM to work on some Physical Therapy with Tracy. During Tracy's PT session with De, Tania and De got Tracy seated on the peanut ball outside on the patio. When she was seated, De slid the therapy table up to Tracy so she could weight bear through her arms and shoulders. Tracy did a good job sitting on the ball, with him seated behind her for extra support. He worked on stretching her pecs, back and shoulders in this position, as well as balance and proprioception. Tracy tolerated about 20 to 30 minutes in this position and then began to fatigue. Next De and Tania got Tracy on the massage table and De worked on stretching and massaging Tracy's tight muscles. She really relaxed and enjoyed her massage outside in the sunshine with the sounds of waterfalls in the background! De is a gifted massage therapist with very healing hands and a gentle spirit! After Tracy's massage and physical therapy, it was time to get ready to head out to Speech Therapy at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Tracy was very awake and alert for most of the session with Kristen. She was even laughing and smiling when Kristen showed her some pictures from one of the entertainment magazines. Kristen showed Tracy pictures of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Josh Holloway from Lost. Tracy paid close attention to all of the celebrity gossip and seemed interested and tuned in. Kristen did a good job keeping Tracy engaged too! Tracy laughed quite a bit throughout the session and really seemed to bond with Kristen. Kristen spent some time on tactile stim with Tracy, massaging her hands and arms with some pear scented lotion from Victoria Secret. She also put some of Tracy's flavored lip gloss on her lips, which Tracy really seemed to enjoy! Kristen brought some frozen plastic ice cubes which she rubbed on Tracy's lips and cheeks. This made Tracy laugh too! We look forward to Tracy's next Speech Therapy session with Tracy next Tuesday at 4 PM! Everyone headed to Starbucks for lattes before heading home. The Mom met Dad at the Town Center Mall to run a few errands, while Luca, Tracy and Tania waited in the van.Then it was time to head home for dinner. Mom grilled some Italian sausage while Tracy rested in bed and Dad did some office work. Then it was time to catch up with last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the ON button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy. Luca has a appointment with his vet, Dr. Phillips at 11 AM to get his last series of shots. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the importance of friendship and sharing our love with our friends. "Sometimes it's hard to come straight out and tell our friends how much we love and appreciate them. We might feel awkward expressing deep feelings, even to our nearest and dearest, because it is not a common practice. We might get choked up or embarrassed in the process, or we might fear we will embarrass them. Still, we all have those moments when we realize how fortunate we are to have the friends we have, and we may long to express our gratitude. Moreover, it may be of tremendous benefit to our friends to be at the receiving end of our appreciation. At times like these, writing a letter can help us say what we want to say without feeling self-conscious. Additionally, a letter gives your friend the space to really take in your expression of love and the gift of being able to return to it time and again. As you sit down to write to your friend, take a moment to consider the qualities you most value in your friendship. It might be the fact that you always laugh when you talk or that you feel safe enough to confess your worst problems and always leave feeling better about everything. It might be the new ideas and experiences you've been exposed to throughout the course of your friendship. Whatever it is, really take the time to express to your friend their unique impact on your life. You don't have to use big words or fancy metaphors; all you need to do is write from your heart and your friend will feel the love in the words." Lesson of the Day: Treasures Of Friendship : Letters From The Heart!

Monday, February 12th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. This morning, Felicia and Annette bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day. After her bath, it was time for her CPM to range her hips and hamstrings. Tracy had a well-deserved break from her CPM over the weekend so it was time to get back to it. She relaxed during her two-hour sessions on her right and left legs. While one foot was in the machine ranging, Felicia pedicured the other foot. She does such a good job on Tracy's fingers and toes! They are a deep red, just in time for Valentine's Day! After Tracy's CPM session, it was time to get her in her chair and in the van for 3 PM Speech Therapy at NBMC with Anita. This may be her last week of Speech Therapy with Anita at North Broward Medical Center. We'll see how it goes. She has two more sessions this week on Thursday and Friday at 3 PM. Mom was able to get Tracy an appointment for a vestibular evaluation at the Dizziness and Balance Center on March 14th at 2 PM. We are hopeful that the physical therapists who specialize in vestibular therapy will be able to treat Tracy's positional vertigo. More on this later. During Speech Therapy, Anita, Mom and Felicia (and Luca) worked with Tracy's right cheek, upper arms, and wrists to see if she is tactilly sensitive in these areas to various touches and textures, using the feather, the toothbrush, the comb, the silk swatch, the cotton, etc. It seemed that Tracy is most tactilly sensitive on her left cheek, then her left upper arm, right cheek, right upper arm, left wrist and then right wrist. The purpose of this activity is to determine the best location for Tracy's switches so that Nova Southeastern has some vital information for developing a meaningful and functional augmentative communications system for Tracy. She has appointments with the Augmentative Assistive Communications department March 13th and 20th at 1 PM. We'll keep you posted... This evening, Mom went to 7:30 PM Spinning with Uncle Johnny in Coral Springs. Nana came along to watch! As always it was a fun class and a great workout. When they returned, Dad had dinner ready: grilled ribeye steak, pasta salad, and corn on the cob! It was delicious and cooked to perfection! Everyone enjoyed it! Luca continues to amaze us all with his personality! He figured out how to activate the on button on Tiffany's mechanical cow and loves to jump on for a ride! Mom calls it Luca's mechanical cow ride, instead of the mechanical bull! It is totally priceless! Maybe we should send it in to the Funniest Videos Show! It would definitely win! Tomorrow, Tracy has a Physical Therapy/Massage session with De at 11 AM and then she has Speech Therapy at FAU at 4 PM with Kristen and Joy. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the importance of practicing humility in our daily lives. "The notion of humility as a virtue brings numerous images to mind. We tend to envision those rare individuals who humbly bear life's struggles while downplaying their own strengths. Yet humility is also associated with people whose insecurities compel them to judge themselves unfavorably as a matter of course. The true definition of humility, however, does not correspond precisely with either of these images. Humility is not passivity. Rather, it is an utter lack of self-importance. The individuals who embody the concept of humility appreciate that each human being on the planet occupies a unique place on an infinite spectrum of development. Though they can take pride in their own accomplishments, they also understand that the people they interact with each day are as valuable and have as much to offer the world as they themselves do. To be humble is to accept that while there will always be individuals more and less advanced than yourself, those on all parts of the spectrum of development can provide you with insights that further your personal evolution. Recognizing these insights is a matter of opening yourself to the fact that not only do others think and feel differently than you, but their life experiences have shaped them in a very different way than yours have shaped you. This means that while you may have a greater understanding in some areas, others will always be able to teach you something. When you cultivate a genuine yearning to know what skills and talents those you encounter have been blessed with, you cannot help but learn humility. You instinctively understand that emotions like envy breed resistance that prevents you from growing, and that being flexible in your interactions with others will help you connect with unexpected mentors. When you practice humility, you want to become as accomplished and evolved as you can possibly be, yet you are willing to submit to the expertise of others to do so. You understand the scope of your aptitudes yet you choose to eradicate arrogance from your attitude, and you can distinguish the value you possess as an individual while still acting in the interests of your fellow human beings. Humility, simply put, is a form of balance in which you can celebrate your own worth while sincerely believing that every other person on the planet is just as worthy as you." Lesson of the Day: Of Equal Worth : Humility!

Sunday, February 11th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca had another good night's sleep last night. This morning, Mom and Joyce showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. After Tracy's shower, Mom, Dad, and Joyce took Tracy out on the little boat for the first time ever! Dad had the little boat adapted for Tracy to be able to sit comfortably in the middle seat. It only holds four plus Luca, so there was just enough room! The weather was beautiful, very sunny with minimal wind. Tracy seemed to enjoy the ride. Joyce had to help Tracy with her head the entire ride, since Tracy can not hold her head up yet by herself. Please pray for improved head control. We rode all around the little canals in Lighthouse Point and saw lots of pretty things. Tracy did a good job relaxing and had her eyes opened for a little while. After the boat ride, Mom and Dad got Tracy ready to go to the Billy Burke Healing Crusade in West Palm Beach. This is the second healing crusade that Tracy has been to. The last time she went was last August! Uncle Johnny, Nana, and Rose Marie accompanied Tracy, Dad, and Mom. It was a very beautiful evening. Once again, Pastor Billy, who was healed himself from a terminal brain canver, when he was nine years old layed his hands on Tracy and told us all that she will be OK. He said that we have to keep working and praying hard, and that she will be healed in God's time. So, please keep your prayers and positive energy coming Tracy's way! She sure does need them all! Tomorrow, Tracy has Speech Therapy with Anita at 3 PM. Mom, Tania and Felicia will work with Tracy on Physical Therapy so that she will not miss a beat, since her PT was not renewed. Mom is also working on getting Tracy scheduled at the Dizziness and Balance Center at NBMC for vestibular physical therapy to help resolve Tracy's vertigo. More on that later! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the importance of our relationships with our best friends. "By the time we reach adulthood, many of us have had the good fortune to have at least one best friend. If we have moved around or changed our life situation repeatedly, we may be lucky enough to have had several. The best friend relationship is often our earliest intimate peer relationship, and it can be a source of great warmth and connection throughout our lives. The details of best friendship change as we grow up and grow older, but the heart of it remains the same. Our best friends are a warm refuge in which we feel free to be fully ourselves, to share our deepest secrets, to rest when we are tired, to celebrate when we are happy-a place in which we feel utterly welcome to give and receive that most precious of all gifts, love. Most intimate relationships hit bumps from time to time, and one of the hallmarks of an enduring best friendship is its ability to ride out the turbulence and remain intact even as it faces changes. Our best friends are those who manage to love us through all of our transitions, as we do the same for them. We find ways to embrace and appreciate the differences that set us apart and offer love and support no matter what. We allow each other to be exactly as we are at a given moment, even as we allow each other to change over time. In this way, best friends sometimes feel like family. We know we will stick together regardless of where our individual paths lead. We may be on the phone with our best friends every day, or we may not have spoken for a year, yet we know that our bond will be strong and immediate when we do connect. This bond ties us together even when we are apart and draws us blissfully back into the warm refuge of each other's company when our paths bring us together again." Lesson of the Day: A Warm Refuge : Best Friends!

Saturday, February 10th, 2007: Tracy and Luca enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. This morning, Luca surprised us with a new trick! He figured out how to push the button on Tiffany's little animated cow that jumps up and down, laughs and yells Moo Moo! He is able to activate the cow by pushing the little button on the cow's paw! It was so hilarious! Mom looked at Dad and Dad looked at Mom, and they both realized that Luca had gone into Tracy's room to get the cow. When they heard the cow mooing, they could not believe it! What a smart dog Luca is! This morning, Dad and Felicia bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day. Today, Tracy picked cute UM gym shorts to hang out in using her Yes/No switches to select between two outfits. Mom went to Coral Springs to a two hour Spin class. It was a great class and there were about 44 participants and four instructors leading the class at 30 minutes intervals. This morning, Felicia gave Tracy a manicure using her new red nail polish the Clinique manager gave her last week! It looks so pretty and just in time for Valentine's Day! After her manicure, it was time for Tracy's Craniosacral Therapy session with Melanie. Tracy really enjoys her massages and relaxed on the massage table out on the patio. It was a beautiful Spring-like day and Tracy made lots of sounds during her session. Next, it was Dad's turn; it had been a while since he had a craniosacral session with Melanie. Nana, Auntie Anna and Rosemarie, Nana's and our good friend came over for lunch and to visit us this afternoon. Cousin Michelle made a delicious bow tie pasta and chicken salad which everyone enjoyed. It is so nice to have family and friends close by! This evening, Mom, Dad, Tracy, and Luca went to a concert in the park in celebration of Lighthouse Point's Keeper Day. The band was great and Luca stole the show. Everyone was coming over to meet Tracy's puppy! He is the cutest puppy, giving everyone puppy kisses! A true Anzalone boy, a big flirt and a hit with the girls! After the concert, cousin Michelle and Bill came over and cooked us dinner. They caught Mahi Mahi today and grilled it for us. It was delicious! Aunt Diane and Tim came over for coffee and King cake that Mamaw and Papaw sent us. It was really good and everyone enjoyed it. Aunt Diane got the baby that was hidden inside the cake! (Wonder if that is an omen because we just found out some awesome news: cousin Dawn is pregnant! Sophia will be a big sister! She is due in October!) Thanks Mamaw and Papaw for sending us this delicious Mardi Gras tradition! Tomorrow, we plan to go to Mass and spend some time catching up with household chores and office work! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the importance of family connections whether together or apart. "Life’s journeys may sometimes take us away from our families and friends, but there are many ways to stay connected. Aside from making use of the technology available—speaking on the phone or seeing each other from across cyberspace—we can create simple ceremonies using nature and our own thoughts to connect our hearts across the miles. The first step in creating your ceremony is to look to nature for similarities in the different surroundings. The second step is agreeing upon something that is meaningful to all involved. If your mother loves birds, then perhaps each time you hear a bird chirp, you can think of her and mentally send love. You may choose the sight of a butterfly, the feel of a breeze or raindrops, or the scent of flowers to remind you of a special someone. The pink glow of sunset might be your favorite time to send a thought, or perhaps the warming oranges of sunrise. We can all see the sun, the moon, and an array of twinkling stars when we look to the skies. The monthly full moon may be your time to connect with your loved ones, or the first star you see each night, knowing that they, too, are gazing into the night sky and sending love. You could choose a day that you would usually celebrate together, such as a holiday or a solstice. If you once shared Sunday brunches in the garden, you can each seek out a garden on Sundays. Or you can choose a specific time and account for the time difference in order to connect by heart and mind at exactly the same moment." Lesson of the Day: Creating Connections While Apart : Family Ceremonies!

Friday, February 9th, 2007: Tracy and Luca slept well last night. This morning, Annette and Felicia showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. Today, Tracy picked cute hot pink and gray sweat pants with a hot pink three quarter sleeve sweater using her Yes/No switches to select between two outfits. She looks so pretty in pink. This mornng, Mom walked to the club and went for a swim. She made it up to ten laps (20 lengths) in the junior olympic sized pool. She has a way to go to work back up to a mile! Baby steps, Baby steps! Tracy got in her CPM sessions to range and stretch her hamstrings and hip flexors and then it was time to head to NBMC for her last Physical Therapy session with Genevieve. Today was a reassessment and Genevieve measured Tracy's lower extremities to assess her range. Everything looked good. Genevieve could not renew Tracy this time because her vertigo is interfering with Tracy's progressing. Genevieve recommended that Tracy go to the Dizziness and Balance Center for evaluation and treatment if her vertigo, which seems to be getting worse as her Baclofen dose is lowered. We'll keep you posted...Tracy had an hour break and then it was time for Speech Therapy with Anita at 3 PM. Tracy continues to respond well to Anita's questions using her Yes/No Talking Buddy switches. Anita has been collecting data on Tracy's response time, question repetitions, etc. This information will be helpful when Tracy is evaluated by Nova Southeastern's Augmentative Assistive Communications program on March 13th and 20th. Tracy is scheduled for three more Speech Therapy sessions with Anita next week: Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 3 PM. This evening, Mom and Dad went to a banquet with cousins Chip and Eileen in honor of the Lighthouse Point Keeper Days at the yacht club. This year's honorees were the two pastors of the local churches in Lighthouse Point. Tania and Edna spent the evening with Tracy. It was a nice opportunity for Mom and Dad to meet some new friends who live in the area. Tomorrow, Tracy has a Craniosacral Therapy session with Melanie at 1:00 PM. We also plan to take Tracy and Luca to the Keeper Day events at the park. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the therapeutic benefit of laughter in our daily lives! "As children, we laugh hundreds of times each day, delighted by the newness of living. When we reach adulthood, however, we tend to not allow ourselves to let go in a good belly laugh. Inviting laughter back into our lives is simply a matter of making the conscious decision to laugh. Though most of us are incited to laugh only when exposed to humor or the unexpected, each of us is capable of laughing at will. A laugh that comes from the belly carries with it the same positive effects whether prompted by a funny joke or consciously willed into existence. When our laughter comes from the core of our being, it permeates every cell in our physical selves, beginning in the center and radiating outward, until we are not merely belly laughing but rather body laughing. Laughter has been a part of the human mode of expression since before evolution granted us the art of speech. Through it, we connected with allies while demonstrating our connection with people we didn't know. In the present, laughter allows us to enjoy positive shared experiences with strangers and loved ones alike. Yet solitary laughter carries with it its own slew of benefits. An energetic and enthusiastic bout of whole-body laughter exercises the muscles, the lungs, and the mind in equal measure, leaving us feeling relaxed and content. When we laugh heartily at life's ridiculousness instead of responding irritably, our focus shifts. Anger, stress, guilt, and sadness no longer wield any influence over us, and we are empowered to make light of what we originally feared. Laughter also opens our hearts, letting love and light in, changing our perspective, and enabling us to fix our attention on what is positive in our lives." Lesson of the Day: Echoes Of Happiness : Belly Laughs!

Thursday, February 8th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. Annette and Felicia bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day. Tracy selected a very cute outfit from two possible choices using her switches. We continue to practice using her switches for Yes/No questions to get her ready for her Augmentative Assistive Communications evaluation in March. After Tracy's bath, it was time for an hour and a half on the CPM to exercise her left leg. After her session, it was time to get Tracy in her chair and into the van. Today, the plan was to pick up Nana and Auntie Anna and head to Delray Beach for lunch and shopping. It was a beautiful day, with lots of warm sunshine. It looks like Thursdays may be Tracy's day for field trips! Auntie Anna treated everyone to lunch at Cafe Boheme Bistro, a cute restaurant with a little side court yard. We ate outside in the sunshine. Even Luca had a good time. Then we checked out the cute shops on Atlantic Avenue. There are so many unique shops! Felicia bought an adorable Bohemian skirt. This evening, Michelle arrived from Boston and Auntie Anna treated us (again)! This time we ordered Thai food from Tamarind. It was a beautiful evening and we ate outside on the patio. Tomorrow, Tracy has her last Physical Therapy session, a reassessment with Genevieve at 1 PM. Then she will have Speech Therapy with Anita at 3 PM. Mom is working on getting everything in place for Tracy to have an official evaluation at the NBMC Dizziness and Balance Center to evaluate and treat her vertigo. We'll keep you posted. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about creating a beautiful home filling it with love and warmth. "Every home has the potential to be beautiful. When we fill our homes with love, we transcend worldly factors such as market value and design. Our conscious, loving intentions can literally transform the spaces in which we live, dispelling any lingering unharmonious energy and replacing it with an ethereal beauty that is felt rather than seen. Our homes become spiritual dwellings that feel soulful and alive. Regardless of their outward appearances, they radiate love, making all who enter, including ourselves, feel instantly welcome. Turning a space into the beautiful outward expression of your inner warmth is as easy as projecting love into it. When your intentions are sincere, you can infuse the walls of your home with your energy, your emotional sensitivity, and your generosity of spirit, turning it into a haven of affection, joy, laughter, and togetherness. It is up to you, whether you want your personal spaces to be peaceful and quiet or lively and inspiring. Begin by cultivating awareness within yourself. This will allow you to see your home as an integral part of your existence rather than somewhere you simply return to at the end of each day. Consider how you relate to each element of your space, and remind yourself that every room in your home can serve a purpose in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Finally, lovingly thank each room for providing for your needs. As you become more mindful of the manner in which your home contributes to your well-being, you will discover that, more and more, you want to love and be loved by it." Lesson of the Day: A Living Dwelling : Creating A Beautiful Home!

Wednesday, February 7th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca had another good night's sleep last night. In fact, everyone was sound asleep by 10:30 PM. Dad made it safely back from his trip to Puerto Rico and was ready to call it a day! This morning, Felicia and Annette showered Tracy and got her ready for her day. Tracy selected a very cute outfit from two possible choices using her switches. We continue to practice using her switches for Yes/No questions to get her ready for her Augmentative Assistive Communications evaluation in March. After Tracy's shower, it was time for an hour and a half on the CPM to exercise her left leg. After her session, it was time to get Tracy in her chair and on her way to her 1 PM Physical Therapy session with Genevieve at NBMC. During PT, Genevieve stretched and ranged Tracy's trunk and extremities, rolling her from side to side on the mat. Then it was time to get her sitting on the edge of the mat to work with trunk and head control. Tracy has a long way to go in regaining her head control. We will continue to practice head and trunk control with Tracy every day. After her stretching, it was time to get Tracy suited up for the Lite Gait. Mom put Tracy's dynasplint on her right leg while Tania and Felicia put on her AFOs and Nikes. Then it was time to don the harness and up she went in the Lite Gait. Tracy tolerated around 20 minutes in the Lite Gait with lots of support from Tania, Genevieve, Mom and Felicia. She was weight bearing through her trunk and legs and seemed very comfortable in this position. Tracy's last therapy session is February 9th, at which time she will be reassessed to continue. Please say a prayer that she demonstrates some volitional movement so that she can continue with PT. Tracy had a one hour break and then it was time for Speech Therapy with Anita. Luca was a good boy and sat quietly in Tracy's lap during Speech. Anita continued with the same plan, switch training using various sensory stimuli and questions. First, Mom used the various tactile stimuli such as the comb, the tooth brush, the feather, etc. and brushed them on Tracy's left cheek while Anita held the Yes switch on Tracy's right cheek. This was a warm up and Tracy responded within two seconds for each one. Next, Anita asked Tracy some questions about Tracy's favorite football teams, etc. Tracy did a good job answering questions, even though she was a little sleepy. Anita used a cool cloth to perk Tracy up. She did a good job hitting the switch on command. This evening, Tracy rested in her bed with her CPM on her right leg, listening to music. Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any therapy and the plan is to pick up Nana and Auntie Anna and go to Delray Beach to spend the afternoon. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. Thank you Betty from Naples for the adorable European teddy bears for Tracy. The butterfly pin and jade vanity mirror are so beautiful too! Betty is coming to visit us from Naples, Italy in about 10 days. We are looking forward to her visit. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about exploring our ancestry and our life's purpose. "At some point in our lives, or perhaps at many points in our lives, we ask the question, "Who am I?" At times like these, we are looking beyond the obvious, beyond our names and the names of the cities and states we came from, into the layers beneath our surface identities. We may feel the need for a deeper sense of purpose in our lives, or we may be ready to accommodate a more complex understanding of the situation in which we find ourselves. Whatever the case, the question of who we are is a seed that can bear much fruit. It can send us on an exploration of our ancestry, or the past lives of our soul. It can call us to take up journaling in order to discover that voice deep within us that seems to know the answers to a multitude of questions. It can draw our attention so deeply inward that we find the spark of spirit that connects us to every living thing in the universe. One Hindu tradition counsels its practitioners to ask the question over and over, using it as a mantra to lead them inevitably into the heart of the divine." Lesson of the Day: The Heart Of Unknowing: Who Am I?

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. Tracy woke up laughing again this morning. Her laughter is also mixed with crying. It does not appear that she is in pain. It is wonderful that she is expressing so much emotion. This morning, Felicia and Annette bathed Tracy and got her ready for her day. Tracy selected a very cute outfit: her jade green Prayers for Tracy shirt with white sweat pants. She chose this outfit over her hot pink and gray sweat pants with a hot pink top. After Tracy's bath, it was time for an hour and a half on the CPM to exercise her left leg. Then it was time for her massage and stretching session with De. Tracy really seemed to like De right away. Tania, De and Felicia got Tracy supine on the massage table in Mom's bath room. He spent over two hours working with Tracy's muscles. He really worked with her hamstrings, hips, shoulders, back, where she is especially tight. He did an awesome massage and also taught us all some new techniques to implement with Tracy. We are looking forward to him coming back next Tuesday at 11 AM for another session. He plans to do some physical therapy on the mat next week. We'll keep you posted. After her session, it was time to get Tracy in her chair in the family room. Tracy seemed so relaxed after her massage and actually smiled! Around 3 PM, Mom, Tania, Tracy and Luca got in the van and headed North on Federal Highway to Speech Therapy at Florida Atlantic University's CDC (Communication Disorders Clinic). This is Tracy's first session of the semester and she met Kristen, her new masters student in the speech program. Joy, Tracy's superviser from the last two semesters will also be working with Tracy. She was so surprised to see how much progress Tracy has made since she last saw her more than two months ago. She commented that the surgery has really made a difference in Tracy's comfort, and that she appears so much more relaxed. Tracy stayed awake throughout her hour long session. We weren't sure if she could, especially after her two hour massage. Most of today's session consisted of Mom demonstrating the various sensory stim and educational materials in Tracy's suitcase that Mom takes to therapy. She and Tania also demonstrated the Yes/No Talking Buddy switches, asking Tracy some of questions about football and the Super Bowl. They were very impressed with the switches and Kristen is looking forward to using them at our next session next Tuesday at 4 PM. Tracy made alot of good sounds today for Kristen and Joy. They plan to work more on vocalization, switch training, and oral motor skills with Tracy during the remainder of this semester. After Speech Therapy, Mom made a pit stop at the Relax The Back store to pick up another tempurpedic pillow for Tracy. Then, Mom treated Tania to a latte at Starbucks before they headed home. This evening, Dad returned from his day trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and everyone made it an early night to get some much-needed, well-deserved rest. Tomorrow, Tracy has PT and Speech Therapy at NBMC at 1 and 3 PM. This is most likely Tracy's last week in PT. Medicare criteria are very strict and require that Tracy begin volitional movement of her legs and/or arms. How bizarre is that when Tracy's motor cortex was damaged during her anoxic event! Please pray that Tracy begins to move her legs and arms (voluntarily) so she can continue therapy! Thank you Betty from Naples for the adorable European teddy bears for Tracy. The butterfly pin and jade vanity mirror are so beautiful too! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about the need for perseverance in attaining our goals. "Some of our goals and dreams come to fruition so easily that it is as if an unseen hand has done much of the work for us. When this happens, we say it must have been meant to be. On the other hand, when dreams and goals require a tremendous amount of effort, we may interpret this to mean that our dream is not meant to be. However, difficulty is not necessarily a sign that our hopes and plans are ill-fated. On the contrary, difficulties and challenges along the path can be important parts of the project's overall meaning. When everything goes smoothly, we feel blessed by the universe, as if a fleet of angels is guiding and supporting our every move. When things are rough or ambiguous, we sometimes feel that we have been abandoned. And yet, the truth is that we are blessed in both cases. Our angels and guides are always present. They may choose at times to back off and let us figure something out for ourselves, and this is when things seem difficult. But when things are difficult, we learn and grow in specific ways. There is a unique satisfaction that comes to us when we succeed at something that has been a challenge. Our sense of self-reliance expands, and our ability to endure and keep the faith is stronger for having been tested. We learn that we are capable of confronting and overcoming the obstacles in our path, and this empowers us to dream still bigger dreams, knowing that we will not be daunted by the challenges inherent in birthing them." Lesson of the Day: Not Always Easy: Meant To Be!

Monday, February 5th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. Tracy woke up laughing this morning. Then Tracy vomited most of her breakfast (about 250 ccs or 8 and a half ozs). We think she may have gotten dizzy after her feeding. Felicia and Annette showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. After Tracy's morning stretching and range of motion exercises, it was time to put her on the CPM machine to range her left hip and hamstrings. Mom took Luca for a walk around the block. He is getting so big. He weighs a little over three pounds! Mom has an appointment at the vet next week on Valentine's Day to get his last set of shots. Dr. Phillips will weigh him then and we'll see how big he is! This afternoon, Tracy had Physical Therapy at 1 PM with Genevieve. She ranged and stretched Tracy in various positions: side lying, long sitting, etc. and then it was time to get her in the Lite Gait. Mom and Genevieve put Tracy's dynasplint on her right leg and Tania and Felicia put Tracy's AFOs and Nikes on her feet. Next it was time to harness Tracy up and into the Lite Gait she went. She did a good job tolerating 20 minutes in the Lite Gait with Tania, Genevieve, Felicia and Mom assisting with body alignment. Tracy's last therapy session is February 9th, at which time she will be reassessed to continue. Please say a prayer that she demonstrates some volitional movement so that she can continue with PT. We will know more about her Speech Therapy sessions when we meet with Anita this Wednesday. After therapy, Mom made a pit stop at Macy's to pick up a few things and met Sue, the cosmetics manager at the Clinique counter. She invited Tracy back for a makeover in a few weeks during their promotion week. We plan to take Tracy! We know how much Tracy loves make up! It should be fun. This evening, Mom, Uncle Johnny, Nana and Auntie Anna went to Spinning in Coral Springs. It was a great class! Nana and Auntie Anna watched! Jason is an awesome instructor! Mom is really missing teaching Spinning and is working on a plan to get back to teaching! Tomorrow, Tracy has a PT/massage session with Demar at 11 AM. It is the first time he is going to see her. We'll keep you posted... Tomorrow afternoon, Tracy has her first Speech Therapy session with Kristen at the FAU Communication Disorders Clinic. Marissa and Lisa, Tracy's masters speech students from the last two semesters, are busy doing their externships in Miami and Stuart. We are all looking forward to meeting and getting to know Kristen, especially Tracy. Thank you Betty from Naples for the adorable European teddy bears for Tracy. The butterfly pin and jade vanity mirror are so beautiful too! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about getting to know our roots. "Each of us is a piece of a larger puzzle. We are all born into the unique and complex network of individuals, settings, and circumstances that constitute our heritage. Whether or not you are aware of your ancestors, you family's country of origin, the cultural history of your people, or the trials faced by the people responsible for bringing you into the world, these forces have had a hand in shaping your values. Knowing your family history and reflecting often upon your own personal history as it relates to your heritage empowers you to look at your life in a larger historical context and to understand that you are a vital part of an ongoing drama greater than yourself. Researching your heritage can prepare you to meet the future. The traits of your ancestors can give you insight into how your character has developed and the beliefs that form the foundation of your worldview. The knowledge you gain can help you appreciate your values and your character, giving you the confidence to be more expressive where both are concerned. At a cellular level, you carry a genetic code from your family determining things like how you age, your blood type, and personality traits. But as a spiritual being you bring in what you chose to do with that genetic coding, your free will. Unearthing your heritage is not simply about uncovering who did what when or reconnecting with long-lost relatives. Rather, it is a method of building self-awareness and bridging the gulf that divides your past from your future." Lesson of the Day: Unearthing Your Roots: Knowing Your History!

Sunday, February 4th, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca enjoyed another good night's sleep last night. This morning, Joyce and Mom bathed Tracy and got her ready for 11:00 AM Mass at St. Colemane's Catholic Church. Mom used the switches to see which of two outfits Tracy would like to wear this morning. Tracy picked out the pretty brown, rose, and green skirt and brown shell that Felicia got Tracy for Christmas. The brown shell has pretty shells and amber embellishing the neck line. Tracy loves amber especially since it is her middle name! After Mass, everyone stopped for lattes and scones at Starbucks and then it was time to pick up Luca at the house. Mom didn't think he would make it through Mass without barking! He was so excited to join everyone and hurriedly got in his blue burburry travel bag. Next it was off to Nana's to pick Auntie Anna and her up to visit Aunt Diane. We had a nice visit with Aunt Diane until one of the counselors "nurse wrachet" as Mom called her, made Luca leave the premises. Couldn't she see that Luca is a pet therapy puppy in training. Mom decided that she is going to get Luca a t-shirt that says "Pet Therapy Puppy in Training" with Tracy's logo on it! This evening, Mom and Nana made spaghetti and meat balls for dinner and everyone watched the Super Bowl together. Our good friend Rose Marie and Auntie Anna and Uncle Johnny came too. It was a great meal and a fun time! Tracy hung out and watched the game with us too. Tomorrow, Tracy has Physical Therapy at 1 PM at NBMC. She does not have Speech Therapy tomorrow because Anita, her therapist, is still away. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about meeting our own expectations in our own way. "Just because you are devoted to following a spiritual path, attaining inner peace, or living a specific ideology doesn't mean you should expect to achieve perfection. When you approach your personal evolution mindfully, you can experience intense emotions such as anger without feeling that you have somehow failed. Simply by being aware of what you are experiencing and recognizing that your feelings are temporary, you have begun taking the necessary steps to regaining your internal balance. Accepting that difficult situations will arise from time to time and treating your reaction to them as if they are passing events rather than a part of who you are can help you move past them. Practicing this form of acceptance and paying attention to your reactions in order to learn from them will make it easier for you to return to your center more quickly in the future." Lesson of the Day: Meeting Our Own Expectations: Doing The Best You Can!

Saturday, February 3rd, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca had another wonderful night's sleep last night. This morning, Felicia and Mom showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. Mom used the switches to see which of two outfits Tracy would like to wear this morning. Tracy picked out army green and orange shorts and an orange UM t-shirt! Mom went to 9 AM Spinning in Coral Springs while Dad and Emil got some chores done around the house. Emil is such a huge help and a wonderful friend. He is one of the family and we really enjoy his visits. Tracy had her morning CPM sessions to range her hips and hamstrings. Then Dad, Felicia and Emil got Tracy on the massage table out on the patio so that Emil could give her a massage. This was the first "real" massage Emil had given Tracy in a very long time. Tracy tolerated lying prone on the table and even did not seem to mind having her face in the donut/halo. She really relaxed and enjoyed her massage! Next it was Dad's turn for a massage. It had been months since he had an Emil massage and he was way overdue. This afternoon, Marissa, Tracy's FAU Master's Speech student and our good friend came over to work on speech with Tracy at 3 PM. She worked for two hours with the switches and Tracy's Yes/No questions. Tracy did a good job staying awake and participating, even after her relaxing massage! Marissa and Mom are working on a list of questions which Marissa will integrate into a spread sheet for data collection. She plans to return next Saturday. This evening, Nana, Auntie Anna, Emil, Dad, Mom and Tracy went to dinner at the yacht club. Everyone had a nice evening. Tomorrow, we plan to go to 11:00 AM Mass at St. Coleman's Church in Pompano Beach. Joyce, Tracy's new Personal Assistant, will be with us from 9 AM to 5 PM. We plan to pick up Nana and Auntie Anna and then go visit Aunt Diane. Thank you Betty from Naples for the adorable European teddy bears for Tracy. The butterfly pin and jade vanity mirror are so beautiful too! We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It talks about calling on ancestral spirit guides for guidance in our lives."Many entities assume the role of spirit guide. Throughout our lives, we may call upon angels, animal and nature spirits, ascended masters, and celestial guardians for aid, protection, and support. Our ancestors represent another wellspring from which we may draw wisdom in times of need for they, too, can act as our spirit guides. Since our forbears spent at least one lifetime experiencing the tribulations that are a part of human existence, the perspective they can offer is a uniquely grounded one. Ancestral spirit guides can empathize with our fears and our frailties, worry, temptation, and feelings of insecurity. Once you have requested their guidance, they will see to it that you emerge unscathed on the far side of conflicts and are well-equipped to fulfill your potential. If your relationship with your relatives was strained when they were earthbound or you feel disconnected from your heritage, the thought of asking your ancestors for aid can be disconcerting. But when the soul takes on its spirit form, it becomes pure light. Your ancestors, regardless of who or what they were in life, are monitoring your life's journey because you are their progeny and they want to see you do your best. You can communicate with them directly, as well as through meditation, your dreams, or the written word. Creating an altar or shrine that displays images of your forbears or objects owned by them can help you connect with individual ancestors. The guidance they provide may take many forms as each ancestral spirit guide retains its individual identity and will thus have its own style of communication. If your ancestors do not speak to you directly or visit you in your dreams, examine your life to determine whether they are replying to your queries subconsciously." Lesson of the Day: Those Who Came Before: Turning To Ancestors For Guidance!

Friday, February 2nd, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca had another good night's sleep last night. This morning, Felicia and Annette bathed Tracy and got her ready for the day. Mom used the switches to see which of two outfits Tracy would like to wear this morning. Tracy picked out a turquoise and grey workout outfit to wear, which is a good thing, since she has Physical Therapy with Angel at 1:00 PM. Tracy had her morning CPM sessions to range her hips and hamstrings. Then it was time to get in her chair and head to North Broward Medical Center for PT. Tracy did not have Speech Therapy today because Anita, her therapist, is out of town. During Physical Therapy, Angel ranged and stretched Tracy and then got her prone over the ball with the help of Tania and Felicia. Tracy does well and seems to enjoy being on her knees over the ball. Tania massages Tracy's neck and back while she is in this position. After 15 to 20 minutes on the ball, it was time to suit Tracy up for the Lite Gait. The goal is to progress Tracy to 20 minutes standing in the Lite Gait. Today, Tracy tolerated 10 minutes in the Lite Gait with her dynasplint on her right leg to help with knee stability. Felicia and Angel held Tracy's leg and hips in alignment while Tania helped Tracy with head control. Tracy still does not have adequate head control and struggles with holding her head up. We will continue to work on this. This evening, Tracy rested in her bed while Dad grilled Italian sausage for dinner. Emil and Tania went to see Because I Said So while Mom and Dad caught up on paper work and chores around the house. Tomorrow, Tracy does not have any "official" therapy and Emil plans on giving Tracy a massage out on the patio. Mom is planning on going to the 9 AM Spin class in Coral Springs. Marissa, Tracy's Speech Therapy masters student from last semester and our good friend is planning on coming to work on speech with Tracy around 3 PM. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It teaches us how to "create a soft place to land" in our home where we feel safe and sheltered from our day-to-day stressors. " Our day-to-day demands can quickly take their toll on our well-being if we are not vigilant about caring for ourselves as best we can. One way we can ensure that we have an opportunity to relax and recuperate each day is to create a soft place to land when we arrive home. This landing pad, whether it is an entire room or merely a small corner of a larger area, can provide us with a safe and comforting refuge in which we can decompress and recover from the day's stresses. There, we are enveloped in feelings of security that transcend other issues that may be unfolding in our homes. Our landing pads also act as way stations that enable us to shift our attention away from our outer-world concerns and back to our inner-world needs. To create a soft place to land in your home, begin by scouting potential locations. Or perhaps your entire home is your landing pad in which case you may only need to declutter. Your habits can often provide you with insight into the perfect spot, as there may be an area of your home you gravitate to naturally when you are in need of comfort. Any space in which you find it easy to let go of stress and anxiety can become your landing pad. A basement or attic, spare room, or unused storage area, furnished with items that soothe you, can give you the privacy you need to unwind. If you appreciate the elements, you may find that spending time in a section of your garden or outdoor patio helps you release the day's tensions. Preparing these spaces can be as easy as replacing clutter with a small selection of beautiful objects that put you in a relaxed frame of mind. Remember to consider noise and activity levels while choosing the site of your landing pad. If you know that ordinary human commotion will distract you from your purpose, look for a secluded spot. The soft place to land that you create should inspire within you the mantra, "I can breathe here. I can relax here. I know I am safe here." When you return to your home after braving worldly rigors, you will feel a subtle yet tranquil shift occur inside of you as you settle in to this most personal of retreats and feel centered once again." Lesson of the Day: Your Comfort Zone: Create A Soft Place To Land!

Thursday, February 1st, 2007: ~ Tracy and Luca slept well again last night. This morning, Mom, Felicia and Annette showered Tracy and got her ready for the day. Mom used the switches to see which of two outfits Tracy would like to wear. Both outfits had Hawaiian print flowers: one had blue, yellow and pink flowers with a yellow shirt and the other had hot pink, light pink and white flowers with a hot pink shirt. Tracy picked the pink outfit; not surprising since pink is one of her favorite colors. Tracy had her morning CPM sessions to range her hips and hamstrings. Then it was time to get in her chair and head to Butterfly World! Emil, Mom, Felicia, Tania, Luca and Tracy spent the afternoon in the most peaceful surroundings with butterflies all around! They landed on Tracy's shoulder, Luca's pet porter bag, and other places. We even saw several butterflies mating! It was an awesome place! Mom signed everyone up as annual members so we can all return on a regular basis. Tracy really liked the larakeets in the aviary. They liked her too, especially when they landed on Tracy's head and shoulders. One even gave her a kiss! It was a wonderful day! After everyone left Butterfly World, Tania drove to Horses And The Handicapped to meet Mandy the executive director. She gave us a tour of the stables and Tracy met the horses: Star, Chico, and Jose'. It is a beautiful and well organized therapeutic riding center. They also offer hippotherapy, and Mom submitted Tracy's application last summer so that Tracy could participate in the hippotherapy program soon. Dr. Tidwell gave Tracy a medical clearance so we are just waiting for Tracy to be invited. There is a waiting list (she is currently #81), so say a prayer that she is invited soon! This evening, Tracy was very happy to get out of her chair after her long and exciting day! She relaxed in her bed and listened to the reggae cable music channel with a very contented smile on her face. Tomorrow, Tracy has Physical Therapy at 1 PM with Angel. She does not have any Speech Therapy today or Monday because Anita is out of town. We are all very hopeful that 2007 will bring great improvements and many miracles to Tracy and our family. Many thanks to all of you who continue to pray for Tracy's recovery! Please keep those prayers and powerful wishes coming Tracy's way! Take a look at today's daily OM. It teaches us how to live our lives unedited, reminding us that it is not a dress rehearsal. "Most of us express our distinctiveness in many ways throughout our lives. Although, as we proudly share our offbeat traits and preferences with the world, we take great pains to downplay those eccentricities we ourselves deem odd. Instead of living lives colored by these quirky impulses, we seek out socially acceptable outlets for our peculiarities. We may not realize that we are editing ourselves in this way because our individual societal awareness is unintentionally attuned to the attitudes of the people we encounter each day. Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of individuality. To rediscover and embrace these buried traits, we need only ask ourselves what we would do if we knew for certain that no one would judge our choices. Visualizing this day without judgment can help you better understand the idiosyncrasies that are an important part of who you are but seldom manifest themselves in your existence. Perhaps you secretly dream of replacing grown-up, conservative clothing in favor of a changing array of costumes. You may envision yourself painting your car electric-green, hugging the trees in a crowded local park, singing joyous songs as you skip through your community, or taking up an exciting hobby like fire spinning. Try not to be surprised, however, if your imagination takes you in unexpectedly simple directions. In your musings, you may see yourself doing things such as breaking out in dance or dying your hair a fun color. Regardless of the nature of your suppressed peculiarities, ask yourself what is really stopping you from making them a part of your life, and then resolve to incorporate at least one into your everyday existence. Life as we know it is so short. Making the most of years we are granted is a matter of being ourselves even though we know that we will inevitably encounter people who disapprove of our choices. When you shake your tail feathers like no one is watching, you will discover that there are many others who appreciate you because you are willing to let go of any inhibition. By doing this you help others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you and, each time you revel in this simple fact, you rededicate yourself to the celebration of individuality." Lesson of the Day: Like No One Is Watching : Shake Your Tail Feathers!