Happy Birthday Jamers

Dear Jamie,

Today, March 1st, 2010 is your 26th birthday.  You are in the hospital in San Jose, recovering from a bad car accident.  This is such a happy day, because even though you are still in the beginning of your recovery, we are elated that you are able to recover.  There were a few dark days that we really didn't know what was going to happen, so we are happy to be celebrating this day with you. 

It has been 6 weeks since the accident, and you have made such great improvements.  We flew to Frankfurt and met you and Landstuhl Hospital, near Rammstein AFB.  The AF sent us all to DC on a C-17 military transport plane.  (It was pretty cool, even if really crappy circumstances.) Eventually the doctors let you come home to the Bay Area, where you have been for about 3 and 1/2 weeks.  You have started "talking", and we think you can understand what you are saying, even if we can't.  We know its frustrating for you, but don't worry, we listen to every little bit, in hopes of hearing what we can understand.  So far, we are able to pick things out, and you do really well if you can just focus on "talking" to one person at a time.  You do the best when given choices on how to answer, instead of when you are asked open-ended questions. 

Your wonderful sense of humor is really shining through, you laugh at our jokes, and you seem to even be making fun of us and giving us a hard time when you can.  For example, yesterday Uncle Lee tried to be nice and give you back a towel you had dropped on the floor.  He even folded it nicely and placed it in your lap.  You decided it would be a good time to throw it back on the ground and start giggling.  I think this happened more than once. :)

You also have figured out how to sit up and scoot around in your bed.  At one point yesterday you said "I've figured it out!" while sitting up and scooting around, so we are slightly concerned that you are going to try and make a break for it at some point.  That, coupled with the fact that you have said "climb" and "climb out" on more than one occassion has us all on high alert for an escape attempt. 

Jamie, on this special birthday, we all want you to know one thing: WE LOVE YOU.  We have all been praying for 6 weeks solid that you will have a full and complete recovery, and each day we see you improve.  That gives us hope.  We know you can do this, and we are so proud of you.  God is with you every second, even when us mere mortals have to work, sleep and occassionally shower.  (By the way, today is the first day that I managed to get my makeup done, hair blow-dried and clothes ironed before going to work.  Everyone keeps commenting on how good I look, which means I was looking pretty ragged. :) Evidently I have been letting my looks slip, so I guess your birthday is good for my appearance!)

We love you Jamers, Jam-Jam, James, Jam, Jamie from Nebraska, Jayme, JMo, Jamie-girl and wish you a happy happy birthday. 

Love,
Your Family and Friends from San Carlos to Kaz and back. 

PS.  Maybe if people REALLY love you, they will leave birthday comments here for me to read to you later today. :)