Christmas 2009

Sitting here in Tucson, Arizona, it is hard to imagine Christmas is right around the corner. Yes, we still live in Torrington, Wyoming, but Tom is a consultant on a job in Tucson. Our fifth wheel is parked in a former working orange grove –we have 4 orange trees in our little yard. We love fresh squeezed citrus each day. At night when we gaze at the stars through palm fronds that grace our skyline, we wonder if the view is similar to what the Christ child saw. Since this southern winter is more akin to Bethlehem’s winter, it somehow draws us closer to that historic event and makes us ever mindful of God’s sacrifice to redeem this fallen race with the greatest gift ever given, God’s gift of His Son, Jesus.

Speaking of fallen, we get tired of writing about our aches and pains and the efforts it takes to keep us going – just suffice it to say, we’ve had our problems, but God is good and we have come through each and every one.

Terri attended her niece, Andrea’s graduation and her niece, Kimberley’s confirmation. Terri and forever friend, Lee Griffith flew to a California wedding for Lee’s niece. We took this opportunity to see where Lee grew up. Finishing a few Napa Valley fine wines while enjoying the San Francisco/Napa Valley area was wonderful. Terri and Dave attended the wedding of Greg Busse, close Auburn teammate, roommate and forever friend. We even danced! We might take lessons – now that we know wheelchair dancing is possible. Terri’s mom, Kathy, joined her on a number of these trips. The youngest grandson, Daniel, wasn’t sure who great-grandma was but after a few days was willing to share his ice cream with her. Timmy remembered her and said he’d miss her more now that he remembered her.

We spent a fair amount of our summer spoiling the grandkids and getting the Seward house ready to sell since Karyn and Rick are proud new homeowners. We brought Timmy back with us on one trip. Boppa Tom shared his walleye catching secrets and Grandma Terri explained that washing the van in the garage with a spray hose was probably not a good idea.

Hunting and fishing are always part of our story. The freezer is full of walleye, deer, and antelope. David and Tom figured out more ways to hunt from a wheelchair. Nothing much stops David. Tom’s new hips allows him to keep up. Tom relived his youth by cutting down an ancient tree leaning over the cabin. The drama leading up to this event lasted longer than the actual event. Tree is down, cabin is safe, Tom is glowing because he is still the lumberjack of his imagination and Terri is eating crow.

Karyn has had a very busy year. She attends school full time and should graduate with her teaching degree in May 2010. Timmy is now a kindergartner which means Karyn gets to do PTA-like stuff, too. Daniel is a very busy 2 year old trying to keep up with all the boys in the neighborhood – 10 boys at last count. Anything to do with swords (foam) is the game of choice. Rick and Karyn are becoming adept at home improvement. They stay busy with their new community and their church. All roads lead east but once in awhile a they find a westward path to visit us in Wyoming and the other grandparents in Colorado.

Terri and David went to Terre Haute, IN, home to Terri’s cousins and aunt. Dave gave speeches and swim clinics. We were guests on a local radio talk show. Cousins and Aunt Pauline joined us in many of these events. In April, we again joined forces and were part of a panel for an Adaptive Sport conference in Colorado Springs. We were told the panel session was one of the best events of the conference.

In November, we met with Tom’s older girls, Lorie and Kristie and their families to celebrate the wedding of Joe (Lorie’s son, our grandson) and Holly. Little Joe, their son, and Calista, Holly’s daughter and our new great will be welcoming a new brother in April. Lorie’s daughter, Jessica, will be adding to the greats with a baby in May. Lorie and Phil are still in Rapid City running their mobile home transport business. Kristie and Bert are still in Casper. Bert went on a mission trip to Africa in March – one day we will sit down long enough to actually hear about the adventure. Their daughter, Keshia, is planning a move to Salt Lake City. She is excited - we wish Salt Lake City wasn’t so far away.

Our friends from Wright, Wyoming, Bea and Greg Parker own a home just outside of our RV park in Tucson. They entertain us regularly. Greg loves to hunt – Tom loves to hunt and there are too many doves in Arizona. These two are doing their part to control the population. Bea and Tom are exchanging dove recipes. Greg and I enjoy the exchange and give our opinions of the results.

We spent Thanksgiving in Mesa with Terri’s sister, Susie, and her family. It seems like it would be a good time to spend Christmas here but the grandsons have a greater pull. The Dennistons never do anything the easy way, so Tom and Terri are flying into Denver where David will pick us up and we will drive to Beaver Crossing – 7 hours away. Weather permitting.

We hope and pray this finds you well and that 2010 treats you kindly.

Dancing

In 1997, I kissed my oldest child and wished him well as he began his journey into adulthood via Auburn University. David was going to swim for a NCAA Div 1 National Champion swim team and was one of 8 male freshmen joining the team. 12 years later, 6 of those 8 freshmen swimmers are still great friends. When Dave had his spinal cord injury in 2005, all contacted him immediately and most came to visit him. Not only did Dave make lifelong friends, but the parents of these boys became good friends, too. Rather remarkable when it is considered that we parents were together maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Of course, those were intense times as we were in the stands cheering the Auburn swim team on to victory. It makes for bonding moments.

Now fast forward 12 years. All but 2 of the 6 were married. The holdouts were Greg and Dave. Greg recently was married to his bride who also attended Auburn University but it took an Alumni meeting for them to meet in Chicago. All 6 of these former Auburn swimmers were there. I attended this wedding and it was like a family reunion for me. It was good to see the "boys" again and meet their wives. Some of the parents were there and it was like the Parent Weekends of bygone time as we caught up on various events. The wedding was lovely, the bride gorgeous and Greg, the groom, was popping his tuxedo buttons with pride.

All of the "boys" were part of the wedding party including David. Sometimes it is a bit awkward to escort a bridesmaid down the aisle and wheel his chair too, but somehow the bridesmaids make it all work. There was dancing at the reception and I think Dave made the "moonwalk" look very smooth. After a few drinks, the inhibitions were less and more dancers crowded the dance floor. The Bride and Groom had started it all with their beautiful waltz - if they didn't take lessons for this special dance, then they are naturals and should go on tour. As the evening wore on, David asked me to dance with him.

I have been to several weddings after Dave's accident. I find it always poignant that the Bride and Groom dance and then the Groom dances with is mother. I think it is beautiful but I have to admit I feel a bit jealous that it isn't going to happen to me. Well, here was my chance to give it a go. Dave claimed a little corner of the dance floor for us to give it a try. We held hands, I pushed his knees with my knees for him to go back and would pull with my arms for him to go forward. Thanks to his long arms he could spin me which did catch me by surprise. We were making it up as we went along but it fun. Dave told me that when it was his turn to get married, if they had a wedding dance, we'd take lessons. I look forward to that but for now having a dance with my son was a most memorable moment.

I have to thank all the Auburn family that stood by Dave as he learned life over in a wheel chair. It was being in the company and being comfortable with them that might have been the reason we were able to give dancing a try. I have been touched by these Auburn men over the years. When Eric came to see David, I mentioned that I was grateful that all the "boys" came to be with Dave, and he replied that all of them came to be with us, too. They aren't "boys" anymore, they are men and I'm as proud of their character as any mother who raised them. Thanks to the parents who supported them and us over these many years. It was so good to see you all again.

PS I wrote this quite awhile ago but everytime I tried to post it, I would cry. This time I didn't cry so it must be time.

Birthdays!

Where do the years ago? I remember being little and thinking my birthday would never arrive or Christmas! How I longed for Christmas. Daniel my grandson turned 2 years old on Friday. Wasn't he just born? Now he is a big 2 year old boy, jabbering about everything - I think, he still has a language all his own.

Then I was pondering son, David's actual birth day. I do that sometimes. Play the game, 31 years ago today, I was pregnant wondering when my baby would be born. I didn't know what I was going to have but I was determined my first would be a boy. So much for feminism. Here I am 31 years later and it seems like only yesterday that I was wondering what my first baby would be.

The years are going too fast most of the time but they are filled with joy and blessing. I thank God daily for my wonderful family and friends - keep 'em coming.

Tribute to Jimi Flowers

A great coach died on Friday. Jimi came into our lives when David was recruited by Auburn University to swim for them. I was a nervous mom, and spent a few hours on the phone talking to the head coach, David Marsh, and assistant coach Jimi Flowers. I was so encouraged by these men. They were Christian men with fine family values and while I knew they couldn't be a part of my son's life every second of the day, I knew they would emulate the qualities our family admires. I have never regretted that David went to Auburn. He made some life long friends there.

Jimi ended up being Dave's breaststroke coach. Their communication styles clicked and Jimi was able to bring David along. In 2 years time, David was a national champion and well on his way to making the Olympic team. Then the bottom fell out. Jimi needed to leave Auburn for his family. His wife, Sue, whom he loved deeply, couldn't get her severe allergies under control in Auburn. We were so saddened to see Jimi and Sue leave, yet again, Jimi showed that family came first and he would carve out a career somewhere else. They went to Colorado Springs where Jimi worked for the Olympic Training Center. Jimi would remain in our lives.

Jimi continued communicating with David. We had some email contacts, a few visits when we were in Colorado Springs and Christmas cards. We would see him now and then at some competitions. David didn't make the team in 2000 and we heard Jimi threw pillows at the TV while watching the trials. Dave came so close but not close enough.

David moved to California shortly after that and trained with another great coach, David Salo. Jimi faded in our lives a bit, but stayed in contact with David periodically. The Christmas cards still came. David missed the 2004 Olympics then wandered around a bit wondering what was next. In Feb. of 2005, David had his accident in the mountains of Wyoming. He broke his back and became a paraplegic. Coach Salo, Coach Marsh, and Jimi Flowers were some of the first people to fly into Ft. Collins to be with him. David's accident shocked the swimming community and the support he was given was outstanding.

Over the years, Jimi had never lost touch with David. 2 years ago, he asked Dave to consider trying for the paralympics. I'm not sure what all went through David's head. His swimming would be much different than before. His once powerful legs were now a detriment. He used to have the fastest turns off the walls, now his legs would get in the way. Somehow, Jimi helped him overcome those mental hurdles. Jimi was with us when David made the Paralympic team for Beijing in 2008. He knew before we did but he didn't spill the beans. His joy for David and for us was so real. We all hugged and cried and whooped. How exciting that was.

David had to return to Colorado for another back surgery. Training for the paralympics would not be what it needed to be but Jimi encouraged David. When we arrived at the opening Ceremonies in Beijing our tears flowed when we saw Jimi pushing David into the Bird Nest. It was so awesome to see these 2 together. Jimi pushed him onto the pool for his first race. What a bond....

I didn't have the close relationship to Jimi that Dave had, but I knew he would steer him in the right direction. Jimi was a godly man that lived his values. He was the kind of man I would be happy for my son to imitate. I don't know why God allows such a man to be taken to his heavenly home when he seems to be needed so much down on earth, but I do know Jimi had a positive impact while he was here. My prayer for his family is that they remember his faith in Jesus, his strength to live a valuable life, and to continue to take Joy in the life given. What a gift Jimi was to all who knew him in any capacity.

May 2009

I think I have to add to this blog periodically or it will drop. May has been interesting month for us. All started out well and then went down the tubes in a hurry. Tom was going to do a fishing tournament - a first in many years. He was pre-fishing with his partner when he started experiencing excruciating abdominal pains. He headed home. I took one look at his expanding belly and we headed up to the emergency room. To make a very long story short - we have spent too many days in the hospital AND Tom missed his tournament.

Tom had an obstructed bowel and had surgery. He got home on Tuesday the 19th and we've been easing back into a regular diet. Tom is still recovering - and I'm trying to stay calm and patient. I was supposed to go spend a week with our grandsons but that was out of the question. Today is our 34th anniversary - we might celebrate by adding another vegetable to the menu! We will get to see the grandsons soon and life will get back to normal, I'm sure. Wish it would hurry up though.

In between, David did insist he stay his dad while I attended my niece's graduation in Colorado. At the time, we thought Tom had an ulcer and just needed some IV time to help it heal. At the same time, Karyn was in Littleton playing in an Alumni band for her high school band instructor's retirement. My mom, sister, and I were able to attend that, too. I love watching Karyn perform. So the month wasn't all bad and I am really grateful that David "insisted" I go to Colorado.

A new month

Tom had his surgery for his new hip - right one this time. Same doc, same place, much of it all the same. His recovery seems much better this time. Since it is January and cold and yucky, it isn't that hard to just veg inside. We have been playing lots of Wii - thanks kids for our Christmas present. I kick butt in Mario Cart. Tom is getting around the block a little bit, now that the roads are thawing and not so icy. We looked over our email from March of 2008 to see how his recovery from his left hip compared to this one. It spurred him on to get out and get going!

Here it is Feb. 2nd already. Our grandson, Timmy's, 5th birthday (if you don't count the day he was born as the first) yet, it seems like yesterday that he was born. Time sure flies. I haven't missed any of his birthdays but this one. We will try to go visit toward the end of this month - maybe make his baptism birthday.

Marin Morrison

We were honored to get to know many of the Para-athletes in Beijing. They all have incredible stories to tell and we are proud of all of them. One young lady, we failed to get to know much. Her name was Marin Morrison. Marin came to our attention through a mutual friend, Glenn Mills, who was instrumental in setting up Dave's original website and produces Dave's swimming DVD's.

Marin was an up and coming swimmer when she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005. Yep, the same year, Dave broke his back. Marin had several surgeries but was still training in the water. She, too, tried out for the Paralympic team in Minneapolis. We were able to talk to some her family/fans but still didn't meet her. She made the team just like David did. She went home to celebrate with another surgery just like David did. Her surgery was again on her brain - Dave's was on his spinal cord. Marin was quite a fighter and battled her deteriorating health all summer long. It seemed to us that it was a touch and go situation and her dream of participating in the Paralympics might not come true. She wasn't able to be with the team the entire time but she did make it to Beijing and she swam all her events.

When a person competes in the Paralympics, s/he has to be classified according to disability. This isn't an ongoing thing - classification seems to be set for a period of time before an athlete can be re-classified. Therefore, Marin was classified at a certain level but by the time she swam in the Paralympics her disability had further deteriorated. She basically swam all her races with one arm and bit of a kick with one leg. And she did that up against less disabled athletes. On one of her races, the entire crowd in the Cube stood and cheered her on. Another moment for tears to stream down faces.

I am sad to report that Marin passed away on January 2. Her family will be setting up a memorial scholarship to remember her courageous life. You can check out the details at their website: http://www.caringbridge.org/ga/marin/. While we didn't get to meet her personally, we do admire what she accomplished in her young life.