This is a neat, living-on-the-Planet-Aphasia story! I bet you went to bed with a smile on your face to match the joyful tears.

Chinese food must be especially hard to say. My husband's 'replacement words' sound like someone minicing the Chinese language in a cartoon stripe.

Have fun in New Mexico.

Jean

Ellen, Ray would start jobs after his first stroke in 1990 and I would finish up completing them. Now I wish he could just initiate anything!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I look back on some of the trips we have done and am thankful for the memories Ray and I have and for the chance to see so much of Australia. I know you will feel as passionate about your exploration of your own country.

We are big fans of Chinese food too, so if Ray had aphasia I am sure that would be one of the words he would attempt too.

Sue.

Ellen,

Of all the things "lost" I'm so thankful for Bill's demonstration of his love for me. So often he'll say, "Baby?" When I say "what?" he says "I love you." It's not only the words - it's the way he says it. He does not, however, know my name any longer. I'm Baby...or My Baby. I know exactly how you felt.

Aphasia is a funny thing. We play charades all the time! Some things I just can't get - other things I finally figure out. When I say the word, then Bill can say it.

It's the little things that really mean the most! Hope your trip is absolutely wonderful!

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment. :cloud9: Have a great time on your trip. don't forget some of those plastic worms before you go.. also for fishing the "zebco' reels that you cast out and have a push button would be much easier and tangle free for fishing and reeling in.

Bonnie

Thanks for being so encouraging and understanding Jean & Sue.

Annie - Denny calls me Baby a lot also, but mostly Honey. He can finally say my name, but it is a hard one to get started. First word he ever said after the stroke was my daughters name. She flew in from Washington within hours of his stroke. When she walked into his room in ICU, he said, "Carrie."

Bonnie - THANKS for the fishing advice. I was going to take Denny to Cabella's. They opened a new store here and has been promoted as a "destination store." I will look for ZEBCO reels there. I don't want to spend a bunch in case it is a passing phase, but what the heck!

I promise photos.