Dave and I had plans this weekend to stay overnight in the city to celebrate our upcoming 10 year anniversary. We had arranged this weekend with our friends, Caitlin and Kyle about 2 months ago and everyone, even Caitlin and Kyle, seemed to be looking forward to the weekend of babysitting/or caring for no kids at all.
Friday morning, as I was vacuuming dust bunnies from under my bed I got a call from Kyle that Caitlin had been hit by a car while riding her bike. She is in the hospital with no broken bones, but a very damaged kidney and a pretty bad burn. So I stopped cleaning and started making this journal for her, needing to pour my what-can-I-do-to-help into something.
I got the idea for this book from a book Emily Falconbrige made that was published here. Caitlin is an artist. A real artist. An art school graduate, works with art, paints and sells her work kind of artist. Last fall the city gave her a grant to paint flying cows in the financial district. So, I liked the envelope book idea, because I thought she could pull out a little paper to do some doodling...she wouldn't have to write on the book itself.
I gave the envelope book, a box of colored pencils and some pens to her on Saturday. It looks like she is facing a long recovery...but a good one. I plan to go and visit her every couple of days with little gestures of support.
Any recommendations out there for how to support someone facing a lengthy hospital stay? Anything you've done (or received?) that was especially helpful?
In other news, this week I am working on my One Week Photography project. I've already been snapping away this morning and enjoying the little push.
3 comments:
Prayers for Caitlin and Kyle... This journal sounds like a lovely, thoughtful idea.
I think you should get dreads, by the way. ;)
What a great idea, Robyn. I bet she'll love it. I'm sorry you couldn't have your weekend away, though... that must have been disappointing, too.
I'm a big fan of bringing food over, especially things that might freeze and they can use it when it works, like lasagna, meatballs, empanadas, cookies... :) Cookies always work.
When Noah was in the hospital, a bunch of friends go together and hired a house cleaner for me a couple times.
I hope your friend does ok.
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