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Here's our story about Collin's accident. Read below

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Sunday, June 21, 2009 2:23 PM, CDT

"Take me out to the ballgame"

Baseball...The Great American Pastime; a good ole' summer baseball game with peanuts, popcorn and apple jacks. What would make it even better? Spending it with someone you love and enjoying the simple things in life. As I write this, Collin, Steve and my dad are enjoying Father's day at the Minnesota Twins game. I have to share with you about how we got the tickets and a whole lot more about the event where we recieved them.

Firstly, I should let you know that things continue to go well with Collin physically, the episodes he was having have really decreased. He is still on medication and probably will be for quite some time. He really notices when he is in need of one of the pills. On the emotional side, he has had some struggles with feelings as well as temperment. Each day is a new experience for us as parents as we are still learning how to adapt. Some days can be more frustrating and unpredictable than others and yet we still give thanks in all of it; knowing that the testing of our faith is what allows us to seek HIM and become stronger through His GRACE.

Back to the event I mentioned above. Some time ago I wrote in one of my entries that Collin was going to be honored at a regional event in Mankato. That event was held on May 27th at the Mankato Airport. It was an Invocation and Blessing of the South Central EMS teams. It was an amazingly powerful evening on many levels.
Sister Generos from St. Mary's lead the evening with a prayer and blessing over all the EMS people in attendance. Then another sister read a poem about a helicopter Here it is....

An Ode to a Helicopter
When I see or hear a helicopter in the sky
It makes me wish I had wings to fly.
It glides through the air with the greatest of ease
Just like the man on the flying trapeze.
I know they are on a special healing mission
And pray they have a steady hand and keen vision.
To care for the injured hurt in an accident.
We all know it is time very well spent.
But don't fret if one of your victims should die
For God will meet you in the sky
And take his soul where helicopters cannot fly.
So we have no need to ask the question WHY?
God bless the pilot and his crew
Each time they go up yonder in the blue
The time, sacrifice and risk will be for the patient's need
And on return they can say "It was worth it, indeed."
--Sister Lauren Weinandt

We were then treated to a meal catered by Famous Daves and then the program began. The two men that were the flight nurses the night of Collin's accident lead this portion of the program. They had put together a slide show with some basic facts about gunshots in general and potenital injuiries along with a generic photo found on the internet that shows how the path of a bullet destroys a quarter size sphere in it's path. I sat there with goosbumps again amazed at how God spared Collin's life. And thought once again of how amazing it is that the damage is not any worse is that it is.... it's really nothing short of a miracle. They went with specifics about the day; the time of accident, time of call, time Mayo One landed, and finally arrival at St. Mary's. They shared that they were not very optimistic about his outcome. I wonder how they do it? Especially for kids, I truly feel that God has used them for a special ministry. They of course have went to school and cramed for exams for years and have worked very hard to get to where they are but I really believe thier strength comes from the Lord. They did an amazing job of sharing with the EMS crew the potenial outcome and shared how Collin has been such an inspiration to them, both on a personal level and for teaching. They shared some photos of Collin and talked a bit more about his injuries. They went on to say that it was with great pleasure they can now introduce everyone to Collin. It was as if all the blood in my body rose to the surface like an out of body experience when we stood up with Collin to a loud and long round of applause. It felt like it graduation day, only better. A day that parents look so forward to, and have such pride in their hearts. It was amazing. We were then able to offically thank and give certificates to the people that were on the scene that day, it was an emotional and very healing experience. How do you thank someone for being part of saving your son's life? It was hard to even speak. I attempted to read a thank you to them. Words were hard to find; not because there isn't plenty of them but where do you start? They took pictures of the group and then we stood up there again by ourselves. This time to a standing ovation. It was surreal! I wish you ALL could of been there, you have shared in so much of this journey with us. I couldn't of been more proud! It is still hard to write without tears rolling down my face, it was such a unexplainably powerful day.

Collin was taken outside for more pictures with everyone that attended the event, they all chanted his name to join them in the picture. He was so proud; of course we were too. We were also given a tour of the home that the nurses and pilot live in when they are on call and allowed to go into the dark room and try on the night vision goggles. The event ended with a bunch of drawings. Collin was asked to come up front for the grand prize drawing where he was asked if he likes the Twins. He just shrugged his shoulders and said " yeah, they're alright" ( everyone laughed) I was sitting at the table trying to get his attention the whole time nodding my head " yes, Collin, say yes you love them" Because by then I had figured out they were giving him tickets. So, that is why they are at the game today.

It's hard to believe it's nearing a year now since his accident. In some aspects it feels long, and yet there are still days the memories are so fresh and flood my minds at times. So much so that I can still smell certain things. We've been through so much; so many tears cried, so many prayers spoken and answered!! So much to be thankful for! So many things in the past taken for granted, so much more now to fully appreciate. The simply things in life....Taking time to enjoy each other.....and for Steve to be spending Father's Day with his son and hearing him say " take me out to the ballgame" simple things... so precious....

"New Pictures posted"

God's Peace,
And Happy Fathers's Day, May God Richly Bless Your Day.
Steve, Kim and Collin

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