FROM MARK: Last week was my first post operative visit to the surgeon that fixed my back and neck - Dr. Stokes. The report was a good one, all looked good and my healing was occurring as planned. My next visit will be on 4/8/08 and at that time if the healing continues as it has I will be able to get rid of my neck and torso brace. This week I visited my rehab doctor - Dr. Tynes, who took me of my anti coagulation drug and prescribed a cane. Needless to say we couldn't be happier with my recovery - Praise God ! While we still cherish your continued thoughts and prayers, this will be our last post to caring bridge unless something dramatically changes.
What an experience this has been ! January 10th started out like any other day, I left home and work with a number of things to take care of the following day. In a matter of a minute, my life, the lives of my family and friends, the lives of the folks in the truck were all changed for ever. It was very clear that in spite of what we may think, none of us are never in control of our future. We expect to have time to say and do the things that are important to us and we act accordingly. The words of James had never been a very real admonition for me- "What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.". What a wake up call this accident was for me - to make the most of the time that I have, to leave nothing important left undone, that I am not in control of tomorrow.
Oddly enough, I have never really questioned as to why I was hit by the truck - this accident is actually the easiest thing for me to grasp - people jog, people run stops signs, accidents happen. I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time - 2 minutes earlier or later and I might not be where I am today. What I grapple with is why did God choose to protect me as he did, why have so many people come to my (and my families) aid, and how will I be different after this experience. I am certainly not deserving of the outpouring that has occurred. But then again that's the concept of God's Grace & Mercy - it is wholly undeserved. God has showcased so many things with this accident. The love of Christ's family was immediate and overwhelming. My family wanted for nothing - my children were cared for, food was provided, friends spent days sitting in the waiting room with my family. I am reminded of Gideon's response to the angel that was sent to tap him to lead His people, to paraphrase, Gideon said "I have heard of the great things God has done in the past, but where is he now?" Then of course, God in His unique and amazing ways made a believer out of Gideon. God has certainly shown His love through the acts of His people. It has has shown me that God is very real, present, and active. It has rekindled in me an intense sense of gratitude and thanks:
To God our Creator, for the amazingly fast and effective medical attention I received, the amazingly fast recovery, for my protection - causing what could have been a more devastating perhaps fatal accident to one that I expect to recover from fully. For blessing me with my family and friends. For giving me multiple loving church families. For giving my wife and parents and others great confidence, strength and comfort throughout. Praise to God, Our Creator, Our Protector and our Strength!
To my wife Tere, who's constant love and care has been an inspiration to many and a life saver to me. You are a gift from God that I do not deserve. And who knew you could write so well !
To my parents (Jerry and Marsha), who simply left everything to come to my side and stayed there for months - you are an example to us all of what the love a parent really means. While my mother tended to the our home and children - providing them the love and care only a grandmother can, my father was a fixture in the waiting room for weeks, not only greeting my visitors but becoming a friend and source of hope and encouragement to all the other families who had loved ones in the ICU. Of course, these actions were not surprising, because all who know my mother and father know of thier selfless character and faith. Thank God for you !
To the folks that called 911 at the accident, to the off duty EMT that "happened" to be at the accident, to the EMTs that made it to me in less than 10 minutes and got me from Braker and Metric to Brackenridge hospital so quickly - driving on I35 during rush hour. The phenomenal trauma doctors, nurses and caregivers who gave me a second life, and the rehab doctors, nursers, therapists, and caregivers that prepared me to leave the hospital.
To our dear friends, to many to name, that visited the ICU waiting room and later the rehab hospital, some multiple times, some staying for days, some coming great distances, - your concern and consideration lifted the spirits of my family and made a difficult situation easier to bear.
To our dear friend Derek Benavides and his boys, who made my home work place friendly so I could begin to work as soon as I was able. To George Bell and Jay Burcham who made our bathroom handicap accessible. To the Archers who reorganized our garage so I could get from the car to the house.
To our church families, Westside church of Christ, Westover Hills church of Christ, and Brentwood Christian School. Your acts of kindness and love were immediate, continuous and selfless. We were inundated with food, cards, calls, offers for help etc. Your actions represent the true meaning of family.
To our friends who stepped in as surrogate parents, coordinated in largely by our dear friend Sylvia Burcham (in spite of 3 kids and full time job) - who helped with homework, took our children to school and basketball games, who opened their homes to our children. When there was a need, Tere simply called on you. We never had to be concerned about needing to be in two places at once - God Bless our loving friends !
To my Campus Advantage family - what an amazing response - cards, calls, visits, food, the photo get well card, the Ipod filled with get well wishes, the calls Tere received immediately and frequently from Mike Peter telling her to not give my job a second thought (and that she was in charge of when I get my computer back), those that stepped in and pulled double duty in my absence. I can't thank you enough.
To Brentwood Christian School - who gave my wife the flexibly to be with me 24/7 - who continue to work with her schedule - what a great comfort to have this support.
To those that prayed for me constantly - it seemed that the number grew daily as friends enlisted their friends and so on and so on. Friends I have not heard from in decades, friends I have never met, friends that prayed daily, friends that scheduled their prayers to coincide with my surgeries, friends that came to the ICU waiting rooms in groups just to pray, friends from churches and organizations all over the country that added to me to their prayer list. We literally received reports from all over the country and several foreign countries of people praying for my recovery. I firmly believe my life and recovery today is a result of God's hand and because of the intense prayers offered by you. I have no words to express my amazement and gratitude.
To those that sent cards and notes of encouragement, some on a weekly basis. Our wonderful church family in Gunnison Colorado who have never forgotten us! Our church family in Enid Oklahoma, some who have never met us but have adopted us out of love for my parents. My friends from the Peru mission, and many loving souls that I have never met but are gifted with an encouraging spirit. God bless all of you for your encouragement!
There are simply to many to thank - we were overwhelmed by those that came to our aid. Hopefully you will find a category of gratitude above that you fit into and consider it our personal thanks to you.
There is a great song by Casting Crowns- "Who am I" that expresses this situation so perfectly. "Who am I? That the Lord of all the earth, Would care to know my name, Would care to feel my hurt...., Not because of who I am. But because of what You've done. Not because of what I've done. But because of who You are." God's love, the love of family, friends, and strangers is simply not something I have earned or deserve - quite the opposite is true. I am eternally grateful for the grace and mercy offered by our Creator, and my family and friends who have displayed Love so amazingly. Thank you and God Bless You.
