House of the Rising 'Son'

Paul, Marie and Jon going to the wedding







Fidero Family coming into church on Mother's Day






Fidero Family at St. Stephen's







Jon, Paul and Fr. Paddy after Mass







How many Fidero's does it take to change a tire?






James, Jon, Paul, Joseph and Jonathan






Paul and Marie getting ready to say goodbye







Moving day for Jon and Marie







Paul and Jon







Jon and Marie leave for Virginia - God bless!










Something I do to help keep my spirits up is to imagine Paul doing regular things. I picture him heading out the front door with his friends, calling back over his shoulder, "See you later, Mom" or sitting out on the deck with his friends, talking and laughing again. I have pictured him doing a lot of the things he has done before, as one way to drive away moments of despair. My mother used to tell me to 'picture it, then pray for it'.

So many prayers were answered this past weekend!

It became abundantly clear with each passing day that Paul needed to see his brothers and also will need to see his friends a lot more. He kept a schedule that I would not have dreamed possible. His brother Jon got him up and walking every day, at least 4 times a day. On Thursday night, Paul was still awake around 11:30 PM. He said he could not sleep and he got up and asked Jon if he wanted to take another walk. So they did. We are finding that Paul still has that internal clock where he is basically a night owl. Paul was able to stay fairly active throughout the visit and he kept us all laughing with his sense of humor.

Saturday morning I came upstairs to see if Paul wanted breakfast. He was awake and was talking to Jon. Jon had been up in Paul's room for a good while and I found out that they were planning a big event for the day. Jon and Marie were going to a wedding in Clarksville (about an hour and a half away)around noon. Paul knew the young lady who was getting married also. In fact, when Paul had really long hair as a junior in high school, Andrea was the one who encouraged Paul to cut his hair because he would look so much better. He let Andrea cut his hair, which consisted of her holding his pony tail and cutting it off. That was the basic hair cut, with a little fine tuning. ( He did look great with his hair cut!) Jon wanted to spend as much time with Paul as he could and he also wanted to see how much Paul could handle. So he and Marie planned this trip for Paul. Jon got busy with ironing Paul's clothes. Then he got Paul shaved really well and showered. There was a lot of activity as Jon took care of Paul and Marie got instructions on what Paul would need in the way of food and hydration, in case he did not eat while they were gone. I packed up a bag for them to take and at 12:30 they were heading out the door. As they were leaving, Marie picked up the book bag and called over her shoulder, "We're going on a field trip!" She and Jon left with all the confidence in the world that Paul would be able to make this day long event. Jon (husband) and I followed them outside and prayed for them as they drove down the street. I was all teared up as I watched them driving away. Seeing Paul all dressed up in a suit was such a joyful thing to behold. He had his arm around Jon's shoulder and he seemed totally at ease with the whole thing. I asked him if he understood how long the day would be and he said he did. I figured there was no better way to find out than to let him 'try it on for size'. Andrea's father was the doctor who instructed us to get Paul to the hospital that first weekend that we knew something was very wrong with Paul. He is also a neurosureon and he said it sounded like Paul was suffering from hydrocephalus. Jon said that when Dr. Nutt saw Paul, he was encouraged with his progress and said that the fact that Paul was totally coherent and aware of his surroundings and that he gave very appropriate responses in conversation, were very good signs for his future recovery.

Jon and I decided to get some flowers planted and then we were able to go to church for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. James was with us and afterward, we were hungry so we went out to eat lunch. It felt so strange to be freed from the responsibility for the afternoon. We didn't know if Paul would make it the whole time and stayed close to the house in case we might be needed. We stopped at a local pizza cafe (the one Paul and I tried last week) and we were able to sit out on the roof, where it was very quiet and the weather was more beautiful than I can describe. I would liken it to a typical day in San Diego (which is where we lived when we were first married.) Jon called us as we were sitting there and said that they were almost home and when he heard where we were, he said to wait there and they would meet us. It was another touching moment to see Jon, Marie and Paul get out of the car, at the end of their 'field trip' and look up at us and wave hello. Paul had made it through the entire event. He was tired and so we got the pizza packed up and we went home. Paul ate a very large piece of pizza and then he fell asleep for the rest of the night. The rest of us said a rosary, most especially because it was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Sunday morning was another beautiful and sunny day. There were yellow roses and cards for me and Paul's being able to go to the 8:30 Mass. I could not believe the blessing of my whole family being with me on this day. We sat behind my sister and her family and when she turned around and saw all of the Fidero family, she reached into her purse and handed me her handkerchief! She knew there would be tears flowing......smile. Once Mass started, Paul said he needed to go because his head really hurt. He started to go past his dad and Jon tried to encourage him to stay. But Paul kept trying to get past him and then he got to his brother Jon. Jon put his arm around Paul's shoulder and walked him out. It was a disappointment because Paul would not be able to receive Communion, and Jon would miss Mass and have to go to the 11:00 Mass. Jon's willingness to give up of himself for his brother and his immediate response to Paul's need washed away the disappointment from this mother's heart. What a beautiful gift - my son taking care of his brother. Each one of the boys has demonstrated his love for Paul at different times. I reflected on the gospel being read, of Jesus being the vine and we are the branches. Through Jesus we are nourished and fed, and are then able to bear much fruit. After receiving Communion, I finished praying and looked up just in time to see Jon and Paul walking with their arms around each other's shoulder, up the main aisle to receive Communion. As Paul turned around after receiving Communion, he saw me looking at him and he waved to me with his little finger and smiled. Time for my sister's hanky! When they had left Mass, I thought they would go out to the van. Instead, Jon had Paul sit in a chair in the Narthex and they were able to still see the altar and hear Fr. Paddy say Mass. They had not missed it after all. We were all fed and nourished by the Body of Christ.

After a great breakfast that Jon and Marie cooked, we enjoyed a few hours of just visiting and resting. Then Jon and Marie decided it was time for another 'field trip' and they took Paul to the movie theater! He was able to stay the whole time and they got home in time for a big dinner. Paul sat at the table and was able to finish the meal with us. Later in the evening, Jonathan and Joseph Tarantino came to visit, along with their mom, Meredith. They brought flowers for me, which I have in my makeshift 'office' to brighten my day. Paul went to bed around 9:30 but when the Tarantino's left around 10 PM, Paul got back up out of bed and stood outside with us for another 15 minutes as we said goodbye to everyone. The only other Mother's Day I can remember being this great was 24 years ago. Jon was born on Mother's Day, 5/9/82! What wonderful joys my life as a mother has been and I thank God that I was given the gift of motherhood, along with the wisdom to enjoy every moment I can!

Jon and Marie left early this morning to start their new life in Virginia. While I was sad to see them go, I was so happy and excited for them. They are an incredible young couple who are great witnesses to others. They live the sacrament of Matrimony as it is intended by God. After they left, James got Paul into the van and they ran some errands. James picked up where Jon and Marie left off. In the afternoon, James was telling Paul about a man who is Dean of Men at Ave Maria. He had had a serious spinal injury after being accepted on football scholarship to Notre Dame University. His life changed forever and while he was able to walk and get on with his life, he learned at the same age of 21 about God's love. James told of his decision to follow God's will and after he finished, Paul asked James, Mike and me to come near him so we could pray together. Paul led us in the Our Father. Let me tell you - this is a far cry from who Paul used to be. He never initiated family prayer and managed to be 'too busy' a good many times when we wanted to say a family rosary. After we finished praying, James told Paul that our whole family has been so changed by this accident. He reminded Paul that each of us has a lesson to learn and that Paul should keep praying to find his way. James then prayed the Guardian Angel prayer for Paul and told him he should start each day with that prayer. He then said he needed to start reading the bible for 5 minutes each day, as that is about how long it takes to read a chapter or two. Paul said it hurts his head to read and James said we would read it to him, which Paul said was a great idea.

Paul not only rose up out of his bed this past week to do some very amazing things, he is rising up to meet God through prayer. We pray he will rise to wonderful new heights!

God's blessings to you in this Easter season - the season of the Risen Lord!
Love,
Jon and Rebecca