Townsend Reunion
What a wonderful weekend Natalie and I spent with my family in California last week. My brothers and sisters arranged for us to fly to San Jose where we were wisked away to a beautiful seaside resort, Seascape, in Aptos. We had a great time with all of my siblings that live in California. Nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, Gram, my brother Andy and two giant dogs! There was plenty to do the entire time. But the best was to spend fun times on the beach in this cool wheelchair and catch some rays. I even got to play volleyball where I finally found my niche – serving. It was kind of silly initially as I thought being the setter would be right up my ally. You can imagine the site: a big old paralyzed guy sitting at the net waiting for the ball to be bumped at EXACTLY the right place and height so he could set it for a spike. Needless to say, I waited a long time. 
Then Rick had the idea that I could serve. Anyway, I found my calling and usefulness again on the sand court. I’m hoping to get some pictures that my brother-in-law Joe took of these games.
My sister Lisa and I have always had a special bond. She was a young teenager when I was born. She took care of me when my mom was in bed with rheumatic fever when I was an infant. She was at my side again when I was in ICU. You may have seen her picture on the blog in the early days. Well, it was great to see her again, but this time in her true element – the beach. She said, “Steven! I love to run on the beach. Would you like to go with me?” Who’s going to say ‘no’ to this thrill? So take a look at this candid shot by Natalie as we started on our jog.
The whole experience was great. The airplane and room at Seascape went just fine with my new abilities. I have to say, as you may or may not have wondered, that there was some small mix of sadness and a little grieving as well. This was my first time at the beach and at a typically athletic Townsend gathering since the accident. It was difficult at times to stay focused in the moment on these relationships that I cherish. I missed the feel of the sand on my feet and the rush of the water at my ankles. Although I loved watching my brothers and nephews play football on the beach, I longed to join them. But like my life at home, I take on the role of cheerleader or coach. I have to embrace these new roles with commitment. I feel that as I lament the loss, I fail to explore the opportunities that are still within reach. But this is still new to me and I have to allow this time to grieve and adjust. Perhaps we all do.
There is a lot more I could write about this experience. But I mostly want to express my gratitude to my family for making this whole thing possible. With all the pressure on time and finances in my life right now, they took care of everything. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to Heavenly Father for blessing me with this family. I am proud to be a Townsend.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:38 pm e
Hey Steve, I just wanted to say thanks to you for coming out and having a good time, i thought alot while we were playing football about how you must feel watching and wanting to join in and I wished I could have done something like switch places or call for a sub and have you come in as we found out you can serve so why not throw. As you saw my old beat up body just dosnt move to well anymore. I am glad I am able to be your helper when you need it but as time is going you dont need to much anymore, must be that townsend independence. like you know it was good for those that havnt seen your new wheels. Thanks for being my brother and we need to have another sunday talk.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:27 pm e
Steven and Rick,
Just read the about the reunion and looked at all the pictures. You have no idea how much I miss the beach and ocean—I can not express the happiness just to see the pictures of the surf. I saw in the picture of Lisa and Steven in his chair with the tundra tires (thats the kind of tires they put on planes in the far north of Alaska) that the old cement ship is still there. I remember going out to it with Dad when I was about 12 or 13 and we could walk right up to it. He told me that there were two 18” navy cannons in the hull and that when he was younger he would go out to the bow and dive off! We actually went inside the forward part of the ship. Dad told me that when he was a kid the ship was in really good condition.
Wish I could have come out for the fun, but alas, health reasons prevent me from doing much anymore. Working, riding the bike is about all I can do anymore. Even on our vacation in Texas I had a serious episode that nearly ruined the trip.
Just to let you know, our daughter Zan and her husband Jayson and son Adam now live in Germany near Ramstein AFB. They are going to buy a house in the next couple of weeks (in fact today they are looking at some). They will be in Germany for about 3 to 6 years. They are getting German drivers licences today also and are looking forward to the test part on the autobahn (they get to get up to 150+ MPH!).
Well, glad to read that the reunion was a success and that you and everyone had so good a time. By-the-by when you were in the hospital I called to tell you I had just pedeled my 2,000th mile (took me a two years!) I now have over 400 miles since then and all on my new road bike. So when I call you on the 12 month anniversary I am hoping to say that instead of 1,000 miles it will be closer to 1,500 miles. You inspire me as I ride to go that extra distance, increase my speed a little more and enjoy the pain! This week in two days I did two 30 mile rides through the Kansas farm land not too far from the house; it was stunning scenery, I will take some pictures from the bike one day and send them. Well, this is my contribution to the reunion, I hope it is sufficient.
Michael
September 28th, 2006 at 4:24 pm e
Hi there Steven! Mike’s daughter here. I had heard you had gotten to visit the family in Cali., I wish ya’ll would update us more on whats going on, because we are so far away in Kansas I feel like we are often forgotten when delivering good news. ANYWAYS, you look like a champ in your chair, have you given it a name yet? I would call your chair the beast if I were you because it looks like a buldozer and that is freakin awesome! Your recovery is amazing, I cannot believe how well you have done, I used to volunteer at a rehabilitaion clinic and now I work at a sugery center and I think your modivation has gotten you farther than any other patient I have seen. Zan and I have always talked about how you have the most humorous personality in the family, playing farting noises on our keyboard, and I can PROMISE you, the only people who can survive in life and in times of hardship are the ones who can find some type of humor in whats going on. And I know your family is there to laugh with you, by the way from the last time I was Nat, these recent pic’s, she is very beautiful. I was hoping to come out to Utah to say hello to you and family in May but I found out I am pregnant and Eric (daddy) and I are getting married and saving for baby. We are due Feb. 19 so maybe summertime I can come out and visit with baby and Eric. I am sure you are well aware the family has been praying with you and we will continue to do so, and if you have ANY medical questions, let me know and I can help you out-doctors,terminology,anatomy ect. Take it easy and say hello to Ellen, and all my little cousins. Later, Ash. Oh you can check out my myspace page zan helped me set up. Bye.
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:28 pm e
Hey Steve!! What a wonderful visit you must have had…I’m so very glad for you!! My husband, Mike, and I were out at Seacliff Beach – camping in our RV this past weekend. Seacliff if just down from Seascape! We walk in that direction and past it all the time. I saw a chair with the giant wheels on it on Friday or Saturday, and though how great to still be able to hear and smell and listen to the sea…even if you can’t ‘feel’ it on your toes! My heart really skipped when I first read your update…thinking it might have been you and I was soooo close!! But then I looked at the date, and realized it was the weekend before…my goodness…timing! It’s a beautiful place to be…it always brings me back to earth and reminds me of the importance to ‘slow down’ and just enjoy the quiet…with the sun and the smells and the sounds…all so peaceful. The technology that’s available these days is mind boggeling (sp??)...I’m so glad it’s there for you…to keep you in touch with the things that are special to you. I also wanted to say what a wonderful post you made to ‘Ellen’. Your words were lovely and sweet…I hope to be able to meet her some day.
Take good care of you…know that you are sent hugs and positive thoughts from this corner in California! Keep that great grin!!
Karen
February 15th, 2007 at 10:26 pm e
Steven,
I know it’s been a while, but I was just thinking about how cool it was to see you at Seascape, and to do some catching up as well as some hilarious reminiscing! I am honored to be your brother, and I’ve always looked up to you like a big brother. It was really uplifting to be around you and talk to you and walk on the beach with you and Lisa, and to see so much of your family that is like my family too- I always have felt at home around your family, and no matter how long between meetings, its always like old times. I’m proud of who you are- not just because of the accident, but the person you have always been and how you continue to evolve and grow. I would love to come see you out in Uteville sometime, especially now that I have 2 brothers in Deseret!! I hope you are continually surrounded by loved ones and that your burdens are lightened. I wish I could have spent more time with you when you were here- but there is always next time, yeah? God be with you, see you soon, hopefully.
Andy