Sunday with the Family

Yesterday, we spent most of the day with Wil's family at their home.  It was a nice day to be together.  There were several neighbors and relatives who stopped by to visit with Domingo.  Domingo has been at home since Friday.  He is still somewhat tired and weak, but walks to the outhouse and around the house with some assistance. 

He is still confused about topics, places, and timelines.  But, there are certainly many things that he understands.  One instance was when a cousin of Wil's (about 9 months pregnant) was visiting with an aunt.  The aunt looked at me and said that her niece has 4 sons already and knows that this baby is a boy as well.  She joked that the cousin doesn't really want another son, so that I should take the baby home with me.  I said nothing would make my mother happier!  It was sort of the running joke then throughout the day that the baby was mine--we discussed names etc.  Wil's dad was not in the room for most of this conversation.  But, later when he came out of the bedroom, something came up about the baby again and he said, "yes, Joel, then that will be a family for you and Wil to take back to New York (he is focused on NY since he has other family that live there).  You just need to fill out the papers for the baby."  I thought it was pretty cool that he was even thinking about us having a family.  And, though the rest of us were speaking in jest, as with many people after a life-changing accident, Domingo is very serious about every thing he says right now.

Last week, I noticed when I visited Domingo in the hospital that he reminded me of Grandpa Gene in some ways.  One thing he shares with Papa Gene is that he has charisma.  Even in a hospital bed or recuperating at home, the man has charisma.  Another thing he shares with Papa Gene is determination!  Yesterday afternoon, he was quite concerned that there was not electricity.  I didn't really know why it was so concerning.  Finally, he told Michael to take him up somewhere on the motorcycle.  I could feel the tension as everyone was worried about getting him around safely.  Eventually, he did convince them to take him, and Fernando went along to help.  They went a few streets over in the neighborhood.  Wil's dad returned by car a little while later.  And, I found out why he really wanted to have electricity--he desperately wanted a haircut!  Much like Papa Gene when the hairs were a little too long for his liking (though most of us would not think the hairs long at all), a haircut was very important to him. 

Wil and his brothers were able to spend some time together yesterday.  And, Wil helped a lot with the caregiving routines for his dad.  You have not heard too much about Wil this last week since he was in Miches up until Saturday night.  In the coming week, I will be headed to Miches for the weekend, so we will get to spend some time together there.

I cannot emphasize enough how much respect I have for Wil's Mom.  I respect anyone who is a caregiver, whether by choice or by circumstance.  But, Wil's mom is incredible.   She is gentle and loving with Domingo and models for her children and the visitors how to treat him with respect even though some of the things he says do not make sense.  She does this while maintaining her home and completing all of the other day-to-day tasks of life.  Plus, she does it with a smile on her face.  I felt honored as I witnessed a mother teaching her children how to love.