I've been feeling much better these days. My walking has improved as the hesitation in my right leg is almost negligible I walk. This is thanks to physical therapy which ended at the end of December. My right hand grips much better as I work around. This is thanks to Occupational therapy which ended at the end of January. There are hardly any signs of paralysis expect for my handwriting, which has shrunk. At the end of March I got certified to drive again. I have finished Speech therapy as of the end of April. I can form words well, but the words don't like me. The noise processor does not work well, and in crowds or small groups, I can't function. If it is quiet, I can read. I can read the headlines of an article, and if it amuses me, I can slowly read it. People say that I look good. That's is a miracle. If I talk with an individual I can talk well, but noise and talk are the enemy. All in all, things are getting better.
So now I've begun reading books. I started with a book I received for my birthday called "The 10 Essential Hugs Of Life". I was a slow read but I made it through it. Large print, short chapters, and just reading. Four weeks later - done! I really thought that it was about different hugs you share, but it examines hugging your parents, your family, your job, your past, your future, and especially your self metaphorically-150 pages of easy practicing. Still slow, I liked reading!
Now it was time for a novel. In the recent years, I've been attracted to heartwarming tales that tell a good story with a complicated man as the focus. Problems, a past, a stubborn streak, and a little curmudgeon thrown in. "A Christmas Carol", "Calico Joe", "A Redbird Christmas: A Novel", and "Tuesdays With Morrie". I wanted to read a book like the others. So I went to the library - first time since 2014, before the strokes. I was overwhelmed. The aisles were so small. There was talking. So many titles. I wanted to leave. On my way out, I stumbled upon a section where "Tuesdays With Morrie" was featured...and I found the author, Mitch Albom. Eureka, I have a book - "For One More Day"!
Eight days of this book and I can slowly read. Eight days of reading about this complicated soul, with problems, a past, a stubborn streak, and a little curmudgeon thrown in - 47 pages in - and I have to read every day...and I want to!
