~Heart Prints~

19 days and a special gift

It has now been exactly 19 days since I heard my Father say any words….it is really odd because that is the longest I have ever gone without any words from my dad…even every year when he goes to Belize he calls at some point mid-trip-(something he started doing years ago when I was a little girl because I literally got sick every time he went) 19 days- that is an incredibly long time for this “daddy’s girl”…my mom used to tell me (with a laugh) that we (dad and I) made her sick with how much we loved each other.  He is special…if you know my dad at all-even if you have only met him for a brief time…you know he is special. I know this because he makes everyone he knows feel special.  I know with all my heart that my dad is going to speak again….Mrs. Mona (his wife) has told of his recent words and even two sentences he has said-  but so far I have not heard him speak.  I am so ready!!  I came to Birmingham yesterday morning in hopes of hearing him talk again….in hopes of being able to hear that beautiful voice say anything to me…I spent a long time with him yesterday and still no words.  But— I did get a special special gift…..When I got there yesterday he was sleeping- he looked so much better (unless you have watched someone go through this process of being confined to bed for a long time this may not make sense) but he looked better - his face was not nearly as swollen, his little hands were much more “normal” looking, his hair was clean and almost fixed- their were fewer tubes everywhere….he just looked better.  Anyway- he was still sleeping- I tried to wake him and even Mrs. Mona tried to wake him- he would open his eyes kinda half-way and look at her and then close them. I was, selfishly, disappointed…I wanted him to speak- (this man who taught me to), I wanted him to show great emotion (this man who cries as much as me), I wanted something to happen…..but I got…well nothing.  But I as I sat there in the chair- I realized that he did look better.  Then my sister-in-law Melanie (dale’s wife) came in- now if you don’t know Melanie…well that is a whole other blog…lets just say she is an incredible amazing wonderful Christian lady…with one major flaw….she likes Auburn- :) So she came in and Mrs. Mona said-Jerry- there is Mel…and he turned and looked at her- Melanie said- Dad, I can tell that you want to say something- so go ahead and say it- I know you want to….I won’t tell anyone- go ahead- say it….War Eagle.  Well— Dad smiled.  You could tell he knew who she was and that she was teasing him as she always had-and he smiled.  It was great…it was incredible.  I was so happy…so as the evening progressed I saw him smile a few more times at people and it was great-but, I must admit there was a part of me that wanted to say- Hey, wait-dad’s little girl…his princess…his ONLY daughter over here- but instead I took every smile into my heart and mind and held it there as a special memory.  Finally after a very exhausting but great day with him…..he was still wide awake-and Jeff and I were the only ones left in the room… he was getting frustrated about his teeth not being brushed- you could tell cause he kept trying to use is finger almost to brush them- (side note- he LOVES to brush his teeth more than anyone I know)-  I could tell he wanted to tell us that but no words came and he kinda just dropped his hand on the bed and seemed frustrated.  I went over to the bed and I took his hand- he looked at me and I said these words- Daddy, I know you are frustrated- I know you have SOOOOOO much to say and I even believe you understand what is happening around you- I know you want to talk and Dad, you will talk- the doctors have told us this and they are smart- I know that all of my life you have told me that-  I can handle anything for a little while- it has been something that has kept me going through lots of very difficult times- and Dad, I know that you are going to have to say this inside for awhile….and I so wish you could talk but it is ok for now to just try- it will come- I know it will.  (he was listening- I could see it in his eyes- so like any good Jenkins I kept talking) I said- Dad- I know not being able to talk is awful….I remember that one time when I was like 7 and we went on the one family vacation I remember and I was talking and talking and Jeff, Carey and Dale offered me $5.00 to stop talking for 5 minutes— I remember doing it….It was five whole dollars and so I did it for 5 minutes…..and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done! — As I started telling the story- I could see that he was remembering- he has teased me about it all my life- and when I finished- He kinda laughed.  Like for real- he kinda did his little laugh and smiled so big and looked right at me and knew me and the story and well….What a special gift!  I left the hospital last night- almost floating…..my dad- he knew me, he remembered me and that childhood story, he smiled at me.  I am so thankful for this special gift. 

Thank you for reading —I know it was long…but you see- I talk alot :)— and thank you also for your continued prayers that he will soon laugh and talk with all of us.