Brid says that Harrington is making good progress. I cannot see it, but she says that a healer must have an eye to the long-term. “Little by little wellness comes back,” she says, “until one day, without realizing it, one has come a long way. One step at a time.”
As for my part, I have spent several hours with Harrington and his family, and I believe I understand them fairly well now. The change is going to be a great one, because Harrington was a very commanding person before his accident. He liked to be in control, both of himself and of his family. In turn Isabella was an easygoing woman, happy to let Harrington take the lead and make the decisions. There is respect and love between them, of course, but the balance of power has always been weighted towards Harrington’s side.
Now Harrington is listless, depressed and feeling unworthy of his leadership. Isabella, on the other hand, is full of fear at the weight that has fallen on her. She is worried that she will not be able to fill the role that Harrington always has.
For now, this is not a problem, as Cameron and Courtney are able to stay with them and help ease them into the new routine they will have to have. However, it is now decided that the two of them must go back to their own home in May, so we only have until then to find a balance.
I think, however, that my focus should be with Arthur. His relationship with his father was not the best before the accident—just fifteen, Arthur was beginning to question his father’s authority and resent the way he maintained complete control in the household. They had several tense arguments, none of which were terribly serious, but there is tension between the two of them.
I think in this there is an opportunity. Harrington’s disability is a setback for him, and I am sorry for the hurt it brings to his spirit, but perhaps the humility he finds in this will help him to see his son as a man and an equal. As for Arthur, this all can show him that his father is a person, and not simply a man in authority over him.
My goal, then, is to strengthen the understanding and affection between father and son. I hope that this will give Harrington hope that his injury has not made him any less of a good man, and that in turn he can have the confidence to stand by his wife again.
Brid likes the plan, as does Danit. I begin soon, and I am hopeful that it will go well. But as always, I can use the well-wishes of my sisters and brothers.