the moment we've been waiting for

Brian is home. And smiling is his corner chair that sits between two windows, looking out at the apple tree. The tree is now aglow in a case of crystal- ice covering every branch, and a snow sillouette over that against a gray sky. Brian looks out the window, takes a sigh and smiles. The last time he saw the tree it was full of leaves. It's been 5 months yesterday since he could sit in his home and look at the familiar surrounding. The old barns, grey boards iced with white, an open field in the midst of beautiful woods. Quiet, peaceful, home.
Bill and Noreen, along with other helpers, have gotten the place in order and done a wonderful job at that. She sits in the room with Brian, a contentedness and rest around her as she watches her daughter and son-in-law come home. It's an icy day, and icicles hang from cars, houses, really anything that has any surface to hang from. I don't think miles of ice would prevent Emily from bringing Brian home today though, nor would any amount of sleep (or lack there of) prevent Noreen and Bill from finishing their home remodeling. Remarkable!

As the car pulled into the driveway, all watched with tears of joy and anticipation. A welcome home sign barely expressed the the feelings behind the worlds. Welcome HOME, you've been gone a while Bri. And now you're here. Life is going to be different, though full. Karissa was a Grandma's, but will be arriving shortly. Family and friends surround each other in all ways. Life is different, life is full, life is good. Live fully dear friends, embracing each day, each other, and those around you who so love you.

A few pictures to see and no more words necessary:

we can do it!!

It's 3 am, do you know where you kids are? Sue's husband called around 4 am to ask where she was, and was waiting at the door for her as soon as she arrived. "I was only just finishing the wallpaper" - a good reply, and a true one.

Yes, faithful readers, Brian is coming home on Friday, though you wouldn't think it was possible this week to have the house ready. Something akin to "home improvement" is happening at a rapid pace in the Miller/Keddy residence that includes many of the characters and kin of the Northcountry. The workers work during the day, restructuring the 1st floor, moving stuff to the attick which will be Noreen and Bill's apartment sometime in the near future, and sanding. They've painted and sanded (did I mention that they sanded?) the remodeled section of the first floor, and the cleaning crew (ie Bill and Noreen) is working overtime. Tomorrow the floors are finished and Friday is homecoming!!


It's been a long haul for all involved. Bill mentioned last night he felt like his house was picked up and shaken a bit, tipped upside down and gutted. Certainly puts into perspective what's important in the house, what is worth keeping, what is worth getting rid of, and what is worth making better.

Sue and I spent a good few hours steaming off wallpaper last night, the stubborn paper remnants clinging to the walls, unmovable. It took time, but the finished product of new paper and clean kitchen corners a whole lot more appreciated. We found signs of life in unexpected places- a nice store of dog food in the back of the stove- Chloe! I didn't know you liked tosted treats! I also found out from experience that a lot of life can come shooting out of an electrical socket when unnamed sharp metal objects are inserted into the source. Who knew that cutting wallpaper around a socket could trip the fusebox...hmmm. Things that you learn at 3 am! Like laughing. Laughter is necessary.

Karissa also had her first bath in a new tub yesterday which she delightedly voiced her opinion about. I think she prefers dry warmth to cold wet, but there too is a definite sign of life.
Thursday is push day for the house, and Friday homecoming. Keep all in your prayers please, it's quite a time now, five months of absence and now returning to a different way of life. There will be a continual "shaking out the old" and settling into the new. So many new things though, and so many signs of life around every corner. I just hope that Karissa doesn't like to store her food in the back cranies of the oven:>

Good work Bill, Noreen, Sue, Mike, Walt, Ian, Eric, Nancy, Barb and so many countless others who have loved and supported this family. This is going to be quite the homecoming for all!

You've come a long way baby!

The first published family picture. Monday, December 12, Ogdensburg NY. This is the last Monday in the hospital. Friday Brian is returning home! That means lots of frantic last minute preparation, finishing the house, cleaning, painting and putting the final touches on the new place. This also means that there will be lots of readjusting to life outside a hospital, as July 15 was the last time Brian was home.

Today I (Katie) watched Brian manually wheel himself from rehab to his room - as I haven't seen him in a while, this really was a neat thing to see. Emily and Karissa stayed at the hospital last night mainly because the roads were pretty snowy. For readers not from the northcountry, we are certainly hitting the snow laden season. It's going to be a HIGH of 15 deg F. tomorrow!! Yes, it is winter here. But though it's cold outside, you better believe there are some excited people in the Keddy family who are really looking foward to what life is like in a nice warm house together.

Hello from the Keddy Family

Hi, I finally had a free minute to let you all know that all three of us are doing well. It has been quite hectic for all of us. I have been bouncing back and forth from Colton to Ogdensburg with very little sleep but making the best of it. I have to be honest though I think I would rather have ten babies then to choose who to spend the night with, Brian or Karissa. We are trying real hard to keep it together. Brian and I are having a pretty hard time, him not being able to see Karissa like he should, not having me around as much and me wanting so badly to have Brian right next to me experiencing all the joys and nightmares of parenthood. We are just holding on to the fact that he will be home soon.

As for the littlest Keddy, she is the best thing that ever happened to us. She is absolutely beautiful!!!!! I am sorry there are no pictures of Brian with the baby but we are unable to take pictures to put on here. My friend Katie is the picture taker and we haven't been able to get together at the Rehab. Brian is a really proud daddy and he just melts when shes around. He has had his trache out for a few days now and all is well. What a difference! He has come a long way since July, actually we all have. We wanna thank everyone again and still for the cards, gifts and well wishes. We are so fortunate to be loved the way we are. Well I will close for now. We hope all is well with all of our blog family. I will try to keep you updated.

Lots of love,
Emily, Brian & Karissa (he he thats the first time I could sign her name it kinda grows on ya huh?)

home at last

Emily and Karissa made it safely home to Colton after quite an event-filled week at the Ogdensburg hospital. With her family surrounding her and Brian very much a part of the delivery process, Emily had a successful (yet painful)labor. As soon as Karissa's head appeared, not even fully out yet, she turned to Brian and began to sing (i.e. cry, in baby language.) He was able to hold her and feed her and be with her which was a real gift. If you want some more interesting stories, ask Emily and Noreen in person, I think you may laugh along with them hard enough to cry. Suffice it to say, the Keddys are unforgettable wherever they go.
Emily now is staying with her grandmother and her parents have moved in as well as they wait for construction to be finished on their Irish Settlement home. It's good to be back with family, and family are plentiful in these parts! Karissa Briley, a bundle of joy, is a perfectly healthy and beautiful little girl. See for yourself!
Now they wait for Brian's homecoming, and will be visiting him and preparing for this new part of the family. Welcome home little one.

welcome dear daughter

Brian and Emily welcomed their baby girl into the world tonight...December 1st 2005
DAWN said...

KARISSA BRILEY KEDDY
BORN DEC 1ST, AT 4:56pm, 6lbs12oz-20 INCHES LONG.
MOM AND THE BABY ARE DOING FINE, EMILY DID A WONDERFUL JOB!!!!!
BRIAN GOT TO CUT THE CORD!!!!! HE IS DEFINATELY A PROUD DADDY!