The Castle on the Mountain

A week and a half of furious wrangling, haggling, telephoning, meeting, phoning and faxing reached a tumultuous climax today when the MetroWest cabulance rolled into a driveway on Mt. Scott and delivered Howard to a new home. And we're not talking "rehab facility" here; we're talking about honest-to-goodness front doors, carpets, bedrooms, kitchen and best of all, a deck with a view. Forget about the fake flower bouquets and no Hallmark channel (we'll fix that); this is a castle fit for a rehabbing prince. It's run by two Romanian ex-patriots who must have trained in a rock quarry, if their impressive "lift and carry" routine to get Howard into bed is any indication. These ladies are tough, and we think Howard has met his match in more ways than one. He's in good hands! The "Peaceful Care House" sits in bucolic Happy Valley in a neighborhood of million dollar homes with views to match. There's no welcome sign or any other indication of a "facility". It's just a big, beautiful house with five private rooms, gorgeous landscaping, and a sterling local reputation. Getting Howard there over the past few days is the real story, an HBO mini-series of dramatic conflict featuring Medicare, Providence Insurance, the Town Center Village care facility, and the Shepherd extended family. We'll save you all the gory details and leave it with a victory for the mysterious workings of our God, common sense and a better future. And our Rehabbing Prince?  Let's just say that when Joe, Deb and the whole clan showed up at the new digs with chocolate birthday cake for Debbie and Andrew, Howard lit up like his old self and enjoyed the family for three hours in his new wheelchair! He's got his first-ever cell phone, and he may give you a call just as soon as he learns how to use it. If you're in the card-sending frame of mind, he'll take his mail care of Peaceful Care House, 10254 SE Isaac Drive, Happy Valley, Oregon, 97086. We think it's no coincidence that he's arrived at "Happy Valley", and Howard's eyes were  showing his old sparkle and a  "bring it on" attitude toward the physical therapy to come. PS - There's a certain birthday coming up on the 21st, and the new deck comes with a propane grill. Burgers, anyone?