We were asked to speak in the ward of one of Lexy’s friends
about our story, they were doing a mutual night on the use of media and
technology. Lexy did an amazing job,she was in her element speaking to the youth. She let me go first and had reviewed her
blog posts, from almost 4 years ago now, but got up without notes and explained her reality of life pre and
post accident. She even had the participants try to put on a sock or jacket
while using only one arm.
I felt flustered that I just read my talk and even lost my
place a few times, but Lex reassured me that I did well. Before we spoke the
Bishop of the ward shared his thoughts on the section of the Strength of Youth
pamphlet that covers media use. He shared a clip from Elder Bednar speaking on
the wonderful time that we live in and how marvelous it is to live in such a
time where the Lord is hastening His work through the use of technology. I
loved how he emphasized that in a coming day we will be encircled in His arms
of love and that will be a real experience, not a virtual one.
This was my talk: August 1, 2010, started like any other Sunday, we went to
our church meetings and then came home and were able to get a siesta in before
we were to go to my parent’s home for Sunday dinner. Lex wasn’t feeling well,
so I told her to rest at home while I took our two kids. It was a fun evening
with my family. I was excited that my older brother and his family were in town
and we stayed later than we normally would have. I remember the madness of
getting everyone in our new pontiac G3 and with my families help, thankfully,
we were all buckled in and headed on our way home to my wife.
I do not remember anything about the “bump,” as we like to
call it with our kids. Abby, who was 4 remembers being held and comforted by a
by stander while, I was being removed from the car. She remembers the girl who
hit us crying and repeatedly telling us that she was sorry. Abby had a broken
arm and Maxwell my then 2 year old had a concussion and bumps and bruises. They
rode in the ambulance to Primary children’s hospital, while I was stabilized
with a tracheotomy, so that I could breath and then was life flighted to the
University of Utah. My wife can tell you of the goings on there because I was
placed in a medically induced comma, my first memory coming to was my mother
smiling down at me making vowel sounds. I looked at her and tried to say, " Hi
mom." I remember waking up and telling my twin brother that I missed him, pause, A LOTt! I had died and was in a place that looked like the ceiling room of the Salt
Lake Temple where Lex and I were married. There was a group of friendly people,
dressed in white telling me that I could choose to come with them to where the Celestial
room was, where a great light was coming from. I remember feeling a great
warmth and love that came from inside me when I thought about going with them,
but I told them that I couldn’t, yet. I had to come back the way that I came to
finish my life as a husband and father.
My rehab has been what the founder of Neuroworx Dale Hull, where I do
PT, glacerly slow, I feel every millimeter of slow, and grating progress, while
others see the big chunks fall off when I take a step or move my arm.I am
learning to rejoice in the small and simple things, no more running over my
youngest with my wheelchair while trying to change his diaper, yeah for potty
training, getting to volunteer ever week in my Abby’s classroom, and even
being able to breath by myself, eat food and drink, and use the bathroom
without help. I enjoy reading with my kids or anything by Dan Brown or Gospel
related. I am on a book exchange with my grandma. I love being outside rolls
around my block or gardening in my raised gardening boxes that my local scout
group custom made for me.
I have days that I wake up and I hurt, physically, mentally,
emotionally, as well as spiritually. I ask why? And have always received a
peaceful feeling of love in response. I know that we are all loved and that we
are here to become like our Father in Heaven so that we can return and live
with Him. I know that this is only possible because of the atonement of our
Savior Jesus Christ. Pull over or use a hands free device if you need to use
your phone and drive. Someone else’s life may depend on it.
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