Jeff’s Story

Site created on September 2, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Every prayer matters. On Thursday evening, August 29th 2019, Jeff was attacked and assaulted. He was rushed to the SICU at HCMC, where he has remained in a coma with a traumatic brain injury. All of the bones in his face were fractured and he is suffering from brain bleeding and swelling. There are a few other complications, but monitoring the brain pressure is the highest priority now. Jeff is a FIGHTER and is working hard to recover for us! The nurses keep reminding us that "the recovery process is a marathon, not a sprint". We have many long weeks, months, and years ahead of us as we support Jeff in healing. We are so grateful for all of the family and friends going out of their way to help us and send us words of encouragement during this difficult time. Jeff is very loved. Please use this site to stay updated as we focus our attention on being present for him. You  can donate to his gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeffhoughtaling  and are encouraged to share your stories of Jeff and positive words of support for him to prayersforjeff@gmail.com. Thank you.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Cyndi Castro

Hello to all the "Team Jeff " Prayer Warriors out there! 

Wow.......what a year it has been! Many times I wanted to share an updated post about my love, Jeff,  and then with the graveness of a world wide pandemic, I couldn't find the right words to express all that I was feeling......
We are ALL AMAZING........look what we have all lived through and experienced the past 12 months......2 times now.....in 24 months, have I had the opportunity to experience "something" I never believed I would EVER experience in my life time!

During the pandemic, we have all had losses, some unspeakable, and some just more of annoyances.  I was furloughed from my job in the trade show industry for 7 months, until I eventually lost my job, thinking........ I had a secure place in the job market until I was ready to retire........
Jeff, on the other hand, being a truck driver, his industry was booming.....with the dramatic change in the economy, yet he was not YET able to participate. 

Covid-19.......a blessing....and a curse. I say a "blessing" first.....because for me, and for my Jeff, it was a blessing in disguise. I absolutely do not want to downplay the severity of Covid-19....but rather relish in the fact......I cannot discount the blessings it did bring to my life.....
I feel the pain, for all of the people  who have succumbed to Covid......there is no glory in all of the death around us...... but also a reminder of how extremely precious life is.......

Because of the mandatory "shelter in place" order placed by the government in March of 2020, I was able to be home with Jeff, and be a 100% part of his recovery, and be there for all of his needs. Although, my company, Featherlite Exhibits, had been AMAZING....in their support of Jeff's recovery......being with him 24/7 was a blessing for sure! 
The many weeks I was able to spend with Jeff, during his recovery, was the perfect way to ride out the journey to hell and back!!!!!

2 weeks ago this evening, I am so proud to say that after 11 years of being together, we finally MADE IT LEGAL!!!!! 
I am now Mrs.Jeffrey  Houghtaling......and I couldn't be happier! Our wedding was perfect.......-27 degrees, the coldest Valentine's day in 27 years........nothing went as planned, everything that could go wrong DID, yet the day was absolutely PERFECT!!!!!!  

After being together for 11 years, I didn't think getting married would change anything......yet it did! I am SO HAPPY!  Marriage feels good, and feels right! 
I have never felt love.....and protectiveness, like I do now.....we never know what life has in store for us......
For those of you, like myself, believes that everything happens for a reason, I want to hug you tight and never let go.........

I wanted to share some photos from the wedding, yet the files are too large, and me being technologically challenged, I don't have photos! 
I DO PROMISE TO HAVE SOME PHOTOS SOON!!! 

I cannot believe how amazing it is.......I have my Jeff with me......every day is better than the previous day, and I am a blessed and loved woman beyond my wildest dreams! 

Miracles can happen......never give up!

I promise, wedding pictures coming soon! (and video) 

Love and Kisses, 

Jeff and Cyndi Houghtaling 

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