Day Fourteen - Saturday - Part two

December 4, 2010

I think Brandon has the whole floor exhausted!!  We don't take him for walks anymore, he takes us.  I knew from the moment he got up to go to the bathroom this morning that we were in trouble.  We couldn't keep him busy enough.  He has been outside on walks, tossing and kicking balls, he even did some ball-room dancing with his physical therapist.  After all that, he and Kassi went down to the basement floor and had a wheelchair race.  After his last session, he came back and took a second shower to rinse off and de-stress.  It is now 3:30 and he is finally resting peacefully.  (Except for the occasional talking in his sleep, which he has always done.)  Kassi, Eric and Amber have been with him all day, and it's a good thing, because we had to spot each other when one of us would get tired chasing Brandon around.  They finally left once he settled down for his nap.

We were laughing at Brandon so hard today.  By the time his lunch came this afternoon, he was so hungry!  He took his cake and shoved it into his mouth and it only took him three bites to down his pudding.  He made Kassi eat the beans and he fed her half of his mac and cheese.  He also downed the entire bag of Sour Patch Kids that Aimee brought him. (Including the sugar at the bottom)

I have to tell you a quick story.  We met a lady named Michell last week when Brandon was on the shock trauma floor.  Her husband, David who was a hockey coach had fallen and hit his head on the ice.  Her and David's family were always in the waiting room and so we all became pretty good friends.  She came up to Brandon's room today to visit him and see how he is doing.  She also came to let us know that her husband of 25 years passed away on Wednesday.  I know that seeing Brandon and his progress has given her a little extra faith to hold on to.  Her and Kassi just hugged each other and cried.  We don't understand why Heavenly Father chooses to take one of his children and yet allows the other to stay, but we know that his hand has been in all of this from the beginning.  We don't look at this as a tragedy, it is a blessing!  Thank Heaven that we can't see into the future and view the trials we will face or we would probably be terrified; but when they do come, somehow we make it through.  And when we emerge, we are better and stronger than ever!  In the words of President Hinkley . . . "Things will work out, they always do."  Have faith! Hold on!  And turn to your Savior who died not only for your sins, but also for all the pain you will endure while you are here!

We are so blessed and I know that so many of you have been touched by our experience and will also be better because of it.  Heavenly Father must have something really special in store for Brandon, Kassi and Branson to give them a second chance at life.

This will be the last time I get to write before Tom comes to relieve me for a week, but before I go I want to say a couple of things.  First of all, Thank you all for everything!  We have had visits from friends that we haven't seen in years that we should have kept in touch with, but haven't.  It was fun to see Becky James and Ralin Christensen who have known us since our kids were born.  We are getting over 650 hits per day on this site from wonderful people who truly care about us.  We love you all so much!!  I want to thank all those who devote their lives to serving others in hospitals and care centers and many other professions such as fire and police services.  This hospital is a hub of service and concern that never sleeps!

We have witnessed so many acts of kindness.  i.e. A wonderful Thanksgiving dinner was brought to us by Tom's nephew and his wife and we were able to eat a hot meal together as a family in the hospital cafeteria.  Eric works at the Best Western at Cotton Tree Square in Provo and they gave him money for food and gas and a place for us to stay for a few days.  Tom's nephew's wife's grandparents let us stay in their apartment for several days while the kids where here.  They usually get about $1200/week when it is rented but they let us stay there for free.  Our RV neighbors keep putting surprises by our RV door.  They left us a ham and a frying pan one day and a small Christmas tree and some Cider on another day.  They are here because their father and husband is dieing of cancer.  Money was raised by the Parks & Rec in Hurricane and also the Fire Dept.  This has been a huge help with some of the expenses.  My mom has also been such an angel!  She loaned Brandon and Kassi the money to buy their 4-runner just two months ago.  Brad also had put over a week of work into it and new tires, right before the accident; and now it is sitting in a salvage yard somewhere in Cedar City.  My friend, Jamie has been helping us watch Matt and Chandler on top of working and trying to get married.  Trish, Austin's girlfriend has been watching Branson during the day while Kassi's mom works and Kassi's friends have been taking turns driving her up here.  I could go on and on.  Thank you so, so much!

I met an elderly man (about 82) on the elevator today and asked him who he was here to see and tears came to his eyes and he said, "My fiance who has a brain tumor."  Life is so fragile.  Please don't do stupid things and never think that it "won't ever happen to you" because it does.  And last of all, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT!!  My councilor in YW taught the girls this little song that we always sing when we get into the car to go on outings.  "Seat belts, seat belts, save our lives!  Seat belts, seat belts, for husbands, kids and wives!"

I bare you my testimony that I know that God lives and loves each of us.  I know that priesthood blessings work.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is our Savior's church and that the Book of Mormon is true.  I love my Savior with all my heart and I know he has heard our prayers.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                                                                                                    -Leanne