After a late night visit from Santa last night (he kind of freaked Mike out a little, but my brother’s kids loved it) Michael got an early gift.  He had a shower and a fresh new haircut before the days end.  What a difference!  Brain injury or no brain injury, cleanliness has always been important to Michael and he felt so good after the clean up.

To his delight, Mike had many friends and family visitors over the weekend.  It was interesting to watch his reaction when he saw each person walk in the room. His facial expressions are easy to read and you learn to watch body language when verbal communication is not primary.  Most, but not all people are met with big smiles and a ‘hey, what’s up?” with their name in the greeting.  I noticed a different response from Michael today and it was a bit unsettling.  When we were alone, I asked if everything was ok.  His first response was “yeah, everything’s ok.  Everything’s fine.”  I told him that asked because it seemed like something was wrong, something was bothering him.  Was he in pain?  Did the haircut bother him, considering he has a head full of healing incisions, you never know.  Was it too much?  He then told me that a certain visitor bothered him.  That the visitor brought feelings to him that he didn’t like.  It made him angry and that he did not consider this person a friend.  I asked if he wanted me to tell him not to come back.  He said “yes, please. I do not want him to come back”.  Michael is remembering more and more each day.

At the end of the day, he was tired from the busy weekend but not too tired to hang out with one of his best buds for the late night Skins game.  Although not quite the same (there was no beer and they were in a hospital room) they settled in to watch the game like they had so many times before.  The band of brothers is strong for these guys.  If you’re in it, you’re in it.  If you’re not, you’re not.