This is Kelsey, Arla’s oldest grandchild.  Grandma has had many visitors during this holiday season.  Her daughter Janeen, son-in-law Bob, and three grandchildren Kelsey, Zach, and Jared came to visit all the way from Akron, Ohio.  Arla has made much improvement since the last time we saw her.  The last time I was here was a month ago when my parents and I took a trip up to Bowling Green State University to visit the campus.  I am a senior in high school and am looking at many colleges.  Senior year is very busy, so it is hard to get out here, but I am very grateful for the time I do have to visit with my grandmother. 

On Thanksgiving day, I took the car out by myself and gave Arla a surprise visit.  When I arrived, I saw she was working hard in physical therapy. When I walked in, her eyes lit up and it was clear she was happy to see me. She was a little emotional, but I knew they were tears of joy.  I hugged her, and she hugged back and kissed my forehead.  I watched her participate in therapy, standing up and strengthening her arm by passing a balloon back and forth with a weight wrapped around her wrist.  It was so amazing to see Arla pushing herself to get better, with Harold and I to encourage and motivate her. 

After therapy, Arla and I went to the lobby and watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.  It was nice to chat and catch up on things, one-on-one.  I told my grandma that I am doing well in school, that I’ve been accepted to Bowling Green, and am enjoying singing in my school’s choir.  She was engrossed in my conversation, and was able to add comments.  Also, I was able to go in the dining hall while she ate lunch.  I had never seen her eat since the stroke, so I was pleased to see her doing so well.

When I was little, I came to Van Wert during the summer and stayed with my Aunt Mary.  Whenever I went to town with Grandma, she was always saying hello to everyone, whether it was at Dairy’s, McDonald’s, the fair, bank…  I thought she was famous because so many people knew and said hi to her. Seeing Grandma at Van Crest reminded me of what it was like being a kid. As we sat in the lobby, Arla waved to the other residents and made an effort to talk to them.  Even at Van Crest, Arla was famous and knew everyone.  She seemed so much like the grandma I have always known as she said hello to everyone that passed by. 

Today, the rest of the Akron family came to visit.  Zach, working on getting his license very soon, drove us out to Van Crest as we feared for our lives.  Grandma was very happy to see us.  We brought Grandma a cuddle blanket with sleeves so she can lay and still be able to move her arms around without needing to be uncovered.  We talked and shared many laughs with all the funny stories we had to tell.  It was refreshing to see her laugh and smile so much, like she always has. 

Grandma showed us how she can write on the dry-erase board. She practiced writing her name, and showed off by writing all of our names. She even drew us an apple and wrote what it was (upside down in the picture)! We were all tickled to see her write and draw so well, and we were happy to see such an improvement.