For a brief and terrifying moment, the very real possibility of never being able to do any of this again presented itself in our lives.
Mike fell off the roof at our lake home during a roofing project and landed flat on his back.
But I’m here to tell you that nothing short of a miracle occurred; he got up, walked into the cabin and immediately iced his back. I trip to the ER was imminent, and an X-ray showed a compression fracture of the 3rd lumbar vertebrae, plus a break on the facet joint.
He can walk, move, sit, turn, stand, laugh and with proper healing, he should be fine.
To be able to say “He should be fine.” To watch him walk, even in the agony of the pain, to hear him making jokes and chuckling, to wake in the night reaching my hand over to feel him breathing, warm and solid is all that much sweeter and life affirming in the wake of any number of “What if…?” thoughts I try to continually push aside.
I’m getting to a point where I can relate the story fully, almost tear-free but I still feel like I can break down in the blink of an eye; just over three years ago, a youth pastor at our church had the same accident- falling off a roof- although his injury was more severe, and he hasn’t walked since. I keep thinking about him, and about Mike and the potential for the same devastating impact on our lives and when I do so for too long, I am a weeping mess.
I’m hoping he’ll be able to waterski again; that he’ll show me his awesome one-foot dock start, and the professional quality moves on the water, but we certainly won’t be doing any tandem knee-boarding together this summer like we really enjoyed last year.
And you know what? That’s all right with me. Because he walks, and jokes and laughs and still teases me while he wraps his arms around to embrace me, and grasp close all that we have. With proper healing, there’s always next summer and the fact that we’ll have that possibility makes me profoundly grateful.
It’s a stunningly sober thought to feel that there is but one moment of your life among the millions that you experience which drastically changes your perspective. I’ve had mine, thank you. Let me be done with them for now, please.
I heard something today on the radio “Love is life and life is love” and how true this is! You are both so lucky, not only that Mike will be fine but that you have each other.
Every time something dreadful happens to someone around us we realize how short and special life is and that every single minute should count!
Be happy in each other and everything else will follow. Thinking of you both,
Jamie
Wow, Kate – I’m so glad to hear he’s healing and will be doing just fine. How scary, and you’re right – a miracle.
We can’t take any moment for granted…(or any meal)!
Oh wow, it’s such a relief that he is able to do those things already – hopefully he will have a full and fast recovery.
Oh man there is nothing I love better!
My hubby can no longer knee-board because of a bum knee. We both ski and I knee-board. Hubby hates it because he loved to knee-board.
Neither of us have that wonderful single down yet! I plan on working on it again this year.
Our lives are so fragile and glad to hear your DH is healing.
So glad to hear that he was okay. When I saw that x-ray I almost clicked away—to nervous to see what happened, bracing myself before checking back. A thousand wishes that the healing process is smooth and happy!!
Have a good, relaxing weekend.
O.k. so this is what you have been referring to all week on Facebook. I missed some of the details and how well you described them here.
I’m so glad things look positive for your hubs and his injuries. Hang on tight to each other, pray a lot and spend time together.
I’m thinking of you guys over here in Champlin. I hope you can enjoy our beautiful weather we are having tonight.
We don’t always know what life is going to hand us, do we? My hubby is a diabetic, has had both legs amputated below the knee, also had a heart attack 12 years ago. But he’s FINE. Plays golf. Sails our boat. After his heart attack I was scared sh–less that he was going to die during the night – I willed myself awake dozens of times a night to make sure he was still breathing. (Fortunately I don’t do that behavior anymore, but I know he could have another heart attack.) So I very much appreciate your near-miss there and am glad your hubby is going to be okay.
Kate, I’m so glad to hear that Mike will be okay. In a blink of an eye, our lives can change. I guess it reminds us just how wonderful it is to be alive. It was great to hear that the columbine seeds took and that you can enjoy their flowers. The delphiniums are pretty hardy characters and hopefully, they’ll be just fine. Thanks for letting me know this. It made my day!! Enjoy your weekend.
Well, praise God for His grace! It is apparent that your hubby was being protected. Glad he’s doing well and you are going to keep enjoying him.