Dear Family and Friends,

I have been receiving cards about how excited everyone is that Miriam is awake. I am sorry to disappoint everyone. I didn't realize my excitement was disproportional to her very short period of waking up. Miriam remains in coma most of the time. She briefly woke up for a few minutes, saw mom and her sisters, tried to say something and move but couldn't. She began crying. It gave me a window of opportunity to explain to her what had happened to her, how long it has been, where she has been, what was done and being done and where she is now and why. She went back to sleeping a lot again. A friend who has been praying for us mentioned in her email that she wished she could fast forward her recovery but that is not possible.

I am pleased and thankful to the Lord for every little progress He gives. Yes, she does open her right eye a lot more than she used to but they are usually non-purposeful. She would look at pictures of the family and she would track. That is very good. She gets tired easily and goes back to sleeping again. She grinds her teeth a lot and remains unable to move her extremities. She is unable to follow any commands. I have had mixed positive responses from her. She would blink her right eye twice when asked to but is unable to follow any other commands. Please pray for functional recovery. I will let all of you know when she become fully awake, alert, oriented and able to follow commands. Her neuropharmacological stimulation continues along with her physical therapy and occupational therapy. She is far from there.

Howie graduated from High School this past Thursday evening and he dropped by to see his Mom shortly thereafter. It was an emotional evening since Howie was thanking  Miriam for teaching him,for her wisdom and doing her best to meet all of his needs. 

Miriam's sisters were in town for 5 weeks. Her brothers and brothers-in-laws have been here too. They talked to her, sang to her and prayed with her everyday. The love they have for each other is so deep and I am always moved to tears when I see them love and care for their youngest sister. I have always assumed that God will always protect the widow and her children. Somehow, God seemed to "forget" that Miriam lost her dad when she was only 4 years old. Miriam has always been a faithful servant of our Lord. She was born with a happy gene. She smiled from sunrise to sunset. She always made people happy. Somehow when she was around, everything was going to be great and wonderful. She always knew how to make things right and yet never boastful. You always felt good when you are around her.  Didn't the Lord know that? 

Yes, the pain remains quite deep and fresh. I love her so much and it is quite easy to be impatient. Please do not give up praying for her.

In His Time,

Alex