The passing of the wallet

8:30am

When we got to the hospital the early morning hours of March 1st, we were given Taylor's personal belongings - his wallet and cell phone.  He had worn a gold necklace, but that must have flown off his neck during the crash.

The cell phone was invaluable in putting us in touch with his friends.  Were it not for that, we couldn't have contacted the 4 friends that turned into over 50 that showed up at Lakeland Regional Medical Center  in less than an hour.

I held onto Taylor's wallet like it had a million dollars in it, although it only had $6.  It was the only personal thing of his that he had with him.  His handwriting was on papers, his photo on his drivers license and business cards from businesses he had been to recently were inside.  

 Just before the wreck, Taylor built a cage for the corner of his room. His plan was to buy some kid of reptile (chameleon, I think), but never got that far.   As soon as he's home, that's one of our first stops.

After the really scary days passed, I continued to carry Taylor's wallet daily.  I'm not quite sure why, but after doing it for so long it almost seemed disrespectful not to do it. Strange, I know.  I told Taylor I was carrying it and asked him weeks ago if he wanted me to leave it at rehab, but he said for me to keep it.

For 4 1/2 months I carried Taylor's wallet in my left front pocket every day.  Last night, I took it out for a minute and Taylor looked through it.  He purged some old papers from it so I figured now was as good as any time to give it back to him.  I asked if he was ready to keep his wallet and he said he was.  And, that was it. No big fanfare, no ceremonial passing of the wallet, just an empty left front pocket.

One week from tomorrow and he's coming home!!