When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love

Bob Dylan, Make You Feel My Love

Pádraig had a good week, between getting back to the lunch time student concerts in St. Pat’s, some new active standing approaches, and a fitting of what looks like middle of the road blue jeans.

COVID stopped the concerts for more than two years and it was great for everybody to see a bit of what-used-to-be return. The students and lecturers in St. Pat’s were extremely helpful and accommodating, as ever.

Pádraig and the rest of us are getting a better hang of what is called ‘active standing’ – as if there was standing that wasn’t active. To be fair, what he is doing is standing with very limited support, especially if we get it right. No devices or artificial, man made, support involved. We try to include some exercises like swaying to the left and right, or bending and stretching the legs in turn as if walking. To be honest, to me it feels like one of the most rewarding activities. I can’t wait for the day when he (and us) will be ready to do some real walking across the room

I bought some clothes in RehaCare a week and a half ago that are made and sold by a small company in Berlin run by a very entrepreneurial wheelchair user. He couldn’t wear normal cut blue jeans comfortably and when he was trying to put a jacket on, it was always too long and in the way. So he designed and is now selling clothes that not only look fantastic but are nearly perfectly adapted to be worn by wheelchair users like himself. Today, Pádraig tried on some of the clothes I had bought and, luckily, I had picked the right sizes.

Yesterday morning, looking brilliant in the new trousers, we went into town and had a good Irish Breakfast in our ‘usual’, the upstairs restaurant in Dunnes Stores. You can pick what you want, it’s priced ok, and you can sit on a table with a bit of a view.

Sometimes, I get worried because these days life is nearly good, as good as it can be given what happened. There will be another crisis, outrageous situations, helplessness. But until then, I’ll join Pádraig enjoying every new day of our lives.

Dylan wrote and recorded 25 years ago this year what is one of the best love songs ever, covered by more than 450 artists. And for a change, he sings it. Nearly.

I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love

When we share our love with those around us, life is good.