My eyes locked on the mountains as I rounded the curve approaching Enterprise from La Grande.

“Home.”

It’s been a hard year. In April 2018, I wrote my last column, informing y’all of my brain injury suffered from a hard smack on the head the previous month. My damaged vision prohibited any time on my laptop. I could not filter what came out of my mouth, with errant thoughts and then words flailing about like an out of control water hose at full force. Severe headaches and burning eyes left me unable to take care of myself.

In June 2018, another blow to my head from falling landed me in the ER. They said once you have a concussion, it’s likely you’ll fall more often.

Nurse practitioner Billie Suto and physical therapist Jerry Ivy were among my many Wallowa County angels. I cannot name the numerous members of the community who gave me rides to appointments when I couldn’t drive and fixed meals when I couldn’t cook. I thank them all.

Neurologist Dr. Quinto in La Grande recommended treatment at Grande Ronde Hospital’s concussion rehab program. Unwilling to travel twice a week through the Minam during the winter, I arranged to stay in La Grande to focus on getting well. What a hard winter it was there, and even worse, I heard, over here.

From my friend’s house, I would gaze across Grande Ronde Valley to the western side of the Wallowas. Veterans and other friends from the County called to check on me. I longed to be home and well.

The concussion rehab treatment launched me forward into recovery. I’m not cured, but I am improving every day and know how to treat any symptoms that come up.

I am so grateful to be home now. Better able to think, to get around, and now, to write. Five years ago, I landed in the County a stranger not knowing a soul. The welcome I received then and especially your kindness from the past year have disarmed me. The brain injuries, which I thought were the worst thing to happen to me, have turned out to be the best thing ever. Those blows to my head knocked out the stubborn, self-reliant pride that said I could make it through life on my own.

I give thanks and praise to the Jesus who can change a person’s heart by showing the goodness of others. When I sit at the lake and meditate with Chief Joseph Mountain before me, I think of the powerful force that pushed the molten rock to such great height. It represents to me the immensity of His love, so great and all-encompassing, that led me to Wallowa County and holds me here, still.

If you see me around, be sure to say hello. You may have to re-introduce yourself, for I’m having to relearn everything and everybody. But this I will never forget, how very, very grateful I am to call Wallowa County “Home,” because of you.