Hanukkah is the time of miracles and this year is no different. Actually, this entire year has been a series of miracles for Nathaniel. This Hanukkah, some of Nathaniel's friends from high school, yeshiva, and the army got together to host a candle lighting party. Before the party began, the boys davened Maariv. During Shema, Nathaniel put his hands over his eyes, as is customary. He put them down when it was over. He seemed to really concentrate on the siddur that was placed on his table, and even turned the pages as if he were reading.
While his friends were visiting, Nathaniel smiled so much. I have seen him smile before, but not for so long.
His friend was sitting next to him to talk to him. Nathaniel reached over and put his hand around his friend's shoulder. The friend did the same to Nathaniel. After a bit, the friend took his arm away, and Nathaniel did the same, but he then put his hand out as if to greet him and thank him. He looked straight at the friend.
We are still waiting for his skin "balloon" to be inflated so that his skin can stretch enough for the cranioplasty surgery. The doctors at rehab are a bit slow in getting organized so he hasn't had a treatment since the initial surgery. He should go on Sunday. During the surgery, they inflated the balloon a bit, so the skin is stretching already. The wound is healing nicely where the stitches are.
The terror attack happened the week after Hanukkah last year. I can't believe how much has happened in a year.