June 12th was a beautiful Friday and Brad and I decided to celebrate my birthday with a movie and going out to eat. After some discussion, we decided on Logan as our destination and off we went. We caught an early matinee of "The Cokeville Miracle" and it was an excellent movie based on an actual event. It was so faith promoting and really helped strengthen our belief in the awesome power of prayer. And, as it would turn out, it would be that "tender mercy" blessing to help us through a very tough weekend. We went to eat and then just a little window shopping, so to speak. I got a nice phone call from a dear friend, Trinity. She's a sweetie. And then we got the phone call that Cole was on his way to the Logan Hospital via ambulance with what looks to be meningitis. We texted Brook and headed to the hospital and waited for his arrival. He was a very sick boy. He spent nearly a week in the hospital with what tested to be pasturella meningitis. A very rare form of that deadly disease. Brook was very proactive and insistent and for that we are so grateful. He is doing well now and you'd never know that he had been through so much. We are so grateful for the power of the Priesthood on this earth today. What a blessing it has been and continues to be in our lives!! Cole is such a sweet young man and we love him tons and are so grateful he is part of our family.
Brenna, Cole, and Dane at the hospital. Room was kept dark to "rest his brain".
Saturday, June 13th, was Wayne's birthday and we looked forward to a quiet family dinner to celebrate. We were outside doing our morning watering when Teauna and Makenzie went screaming by our house in their car. I texted Kenzie and asked if there was some sort of emergency??? I received the reply, "Yes". Nothing else, so we waited anxiously for the phone to ring to find out what was going on. Teauna called a few minutes later to tell us there had been an atv accident and either Bradey or Dakota had been killed and the other life flighted to Ogden. She was on her way to Ogden to meet the helicopter and whoever would be in it. Bradey is our grandson and Dakota is his cousin and very best friend. We said some prayers and waited for more information and prepared to head to Ogden. It's a little over an hour away. We found out that it was Bradey who had survived and was sent to Ogden Regional so we headed that way with a constant prayer in our heads and hearts the whole way. We learned that Dakota had been killed instantly and Bradey had broke both bones in both forearms and had a small cut over his right eye along with some pretty good road rash. We arrived at the hospital in time to see Bradey before he went in for surgery. He was taking blame for the accident. I think anyone would do that under those same circumstances. He wasn't driving but had asked to and said he should have been and then Dakota would still be here. They weren't driving fast or crazy. They just hit a small ditch that was hidden in brush and tumbleweeds and it stopped the atv and threw Bradey over the top of Dakota. He broke his fall with his arms and side of his face. He said he hopped right up so Dakota wouldn't laugh at him. He remembers hearing the bones pop. With two broken arms, he tried to clear Kota's mouth of blood and debris and then went for help. A voice told him very clearly that he needed to leave and get help and he promised Kota that he would return knowing that he was already gone. Bradey ran two miles for help. He couldn't open a gate he came to so he had to run down the fence to find a place wide enough to crawl through. When he arrived at the place the trucks were, they tried to start transporting him but he refused to go anywhere until he made it back to Kota. So he was loaded in the pickup and taken to the scene of the accident just like he had promised. The helicopter picked him up there and took him to Ogden. We are so blessed and grateful to have this young man in our lives. We love him more than words can begin to express.
It was such a difficult situation. As Bradey was in surgery, the waiting room filled with family members who were all brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents of Dakota. It was very touching, heartwrenching, and humbling. These same people were cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents of Bradey and were there to support even while still in shock and horrible grief. The room was thick with emotion. The hall outside his room following surgery was full of family members helping each other through this very difficult time. And each one was so very glad to see Bradey and know he was okay.
Bradey just out of surgery and still under the influence.
Jamie (Dakota's dad) talking to Bradey and letting him know that this was not his fault and there was nothing more he could have done. A very precious picture and it was heart-wrenching to take.
We knew he would be fine when he was able to text with two broken arms!!
Getting some much needed rest. Sweet dreams, Bradey-boy!!
Brad kept his family informed on Bradey's condition and they went ahead with their birthday dinner plans. We got home late that night and we were getting ready to go back to Ogden early the next morning when the phone rang. It was Pam, Brad's sister, letting Brad know that his father had been admitted to the hospital following his birthday dinner the night before. They didn't want to bother us the night before with everything else that was going on. So, Brad headed down to the local hospital and visited with his dad before we left for Ogden. When it rains, it pours, right?? Wayne was released that day, the 14th, after adjustments were made to his medications.
So, I told Brad that I think I get a birthday weekend do-over. But then, if I think of the cup half full or empty theory, I could look at it in a whole different way. We are truly blessed; we have two grandsons that have healed miraculously and Wayne is still with us. Half full?? I think so. But still not fun at all to go through so I will leave its title as is . . . .
