moving forward, Uncategorized

Angels, Blessings, and Clarity

Movin' it with Michelle

Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I wish I could say that life has just been busy and that my days have been filled with work, running and everything in between.  But that would be a lie.  I haven’t been running since last weekend.  And I am in week 5 of marathon training!  What?  But just wait.

Monday morning I woke up like I do every Monday morning, and I went through my daily routine.  Something felt off, but I shook it off and hit the road.  My left contact was being snarky and I kept blinking and trying to get it to just chill out.  Finally I just sighed, pulled over and took it out.  It was blurred and irritating my eye and I wasn’t going to let it ruin my day.  I drove on, listening to K-Love Christian music radio and found myself being compelled to pray for my family’s safety.  I had no idea why, but when the pull comes from the big man upstairs, I follow His direction.  Little did I know what would happen later that very same day…

The phone call came just 5 minutes after arriving home with S.  We had our sandwich stuff spread out on the kitchen counter like a factory line knowing our time is short on Monday’s due to ballet practice being just an hour after we arrive home.  My phone rang, and J’s name came across the screen.  It was 5 minutes to 5 P.M. which is when she was due home.  My heart jumped when a strangers voice came through the ear piece telling me that J was in an accident and that I needed to come quick.  I grabbed S, and we flew out the door to the intersection where the accident took place.

We arrived at the scene just 5 minutes later, and as I sprinted hand in hand with S, I saw my baby laid out on a stretcher with a neck brace and I fell to my knees.  The police men steadied me as I knelt next to her, trying my hardest to be calm yet finding myself shaking uncontrollably.  She would be transported to the local hospital and as I started to run to my Jeep, Sgt. G. stopped me.  “Ma’am, you are in no condition to drive.  Let me take you and your youngest to the hospital.”  I smiled through my tears, and thanked him profusely.  This man was the first of many Angels I’d meet in the next couple of days.

As we flew down Randall Road, with the ambulance in sight just behind us I wrapped my arms around my youngest and prayed.  “Please God, keep J safe, let her be ok, heal her please,” among many other rambled prayers kept repeating in my head.  Please…I…I can’t lose this child who taught me to love life again.  I can’t be without my first born…I can’t.  As much as I complain about the struggles of being a Mom to a 15 year old girl, I would take it all back just for her to be OK.  Please.  PLEASE?!?

We arrived at the ER shortly, and as the officer handed me her back pack that had been cut off her so they could triage her I found myself without words.  He went to shake my hand and wish me well, but I hugged him instead thanking him for all that he did for us.  He seemed almost surprised, but promised me everything would be ok.

We had two more Angels greet us at the hospital.  Nurse Melissa, and Nurse Leah.  They tended to J’s every need, going out of their way to make sure she was comfortable for her entire stay, and during her CAT scan.  And when the news was delivered to us that she had skull fractures and bleeding in her brain and that we’d need to be transferred to a higher level trauma center, they made sure that I was ok.  I told my husband to take our youngest home to stay with friends, and he would meet us later at the new hospital.  And these two Angels helped hold me up when I just wanted to curl up and cry.  I will be forever grateful.

The next 48 hours were a bit of a blur.  We got checked in to the new ER, had more CAT scans which showed no improvement so we were moved to the Pediatric ICU. We were met by more amazing nurses and medical staff that treated us as of we were the only patients in the hospital.  I can’t say enough about the wonderful care we received.  Tuesday we had a repeat scan that showed the swelling had gone down and the bleeding had stopped.  We would continue to monitor for the morning, and were eventually moved to a regular room.  In comes my next Angel.

It had been 2 days since I’d showered, slept, or felt even half human.  I couldn’t cry anymore, and although my J was improving the fear that the tables could turn at any moment was (is) very real.  My sister texted me several times asking what she could do, or if I needed anything.  Then at around 10:30 she said forget it, she was on her way and not to argue.  She walked in the door, hugged us all and sat with us for a couple hours.  Seeing how tired I was she offered to drive me home so I could grab a quick nap and shower.  Mind you, she drove an hour FURTHER away from her house to get me home, well, because she’s just that awesome.  ❤

Tuesday night one of my co-workers came to visit for a bit, and it just reminded me of the amazing people I have in my life.  Countless texts, prayers, phone calls and reminders that J was being lifted up by EVERYONE were pouring in faster than I could keep up with.  She just HAD to be ok.  The doctors and nurses came in several times to check on her, and by Wednesday morning it appeared our prayers had been answered.  They hoped she would be ready to go home that afternoon.  She just needed to be able to eat, walk around a bit, and use the restroom. And that she did…she even got a little snarky which was a GREAT sign!!

So here we are, home from one of the toughest few weeks of my life, and I am humbled and grateful.  I haven’t gone more than a couple hours without crying both in tears of fear, and tears of gratitude for God’s graces.  I’ve counted, and recounted my blessings, and I have thanked everyone involved this week as many times as possible.

Looking back at the start of my week, I am moved by the fact that my vision was physically blurred and that I felt compelled to pray. And as I helped my 15 year old bathe tonight (for the first time in MANY years) I was moved to tears as she said quietly, “Thank you, Mommy,” after I helped her dress.  “Will you brush and dry my hair,” she asked?  I asked if drying her hair would bother her to which she said she’d let me know.  And it didn’t thankfully…So I gently brushed her hair, dried it on the lowest setting, and ran my fingers through her hair.  I turned the dryer off while her hair was still damp to which she said, “A little longer, please?”  I smiled through my tears, thanked God yet again for his healing and protection to my amazing little girl, for my amazing family and friends, and for the Angels that abounded through this tragic event.

Our road isn’t cleared yet, as we have follow up with Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Pediatrics to make sure she’s healing and progressing.  But at this moment, my vision has never been more clear. My baby is going to be OK.  God truly does work miracles!!!!

My J. <3
My J. ❤

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Keep Movin’ forward, y’all!

❤ Michelle

Published by Movin' it with Michelle

My name is Michelle and I am a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. I have found a passion for running, cooking, writing, photography and all things that move my love for life! I've ran 3 full marathons, with a PR of 4:25, and 17 half marathons with a PR of 2:00:11 (yup-missed sub 2 by 11 seconds, lol). Thanks for joining me on my journey!

70 thoughts on “Angels, Blessings, and Clarity”

  2. I have no words. I sit here with tears of happiness for you all. I love you all. Continued prayers my dear one.

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  4. WoW. Another bead on my prayer bracelet has been designated, this one for you and your family. You are such a strong woman! So glad to hear your story has a very happy ending 🙂 Hugs & prayers to you ❤

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  6. May blessings continue to be with you and your family, Michelle. Beautiful story of God’s work. Thinking and praying for all of you. Monica

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  7. So, so glad to hear she is doing better. I have a 19 year old and 14 year old, and I pray every day for their health and safety, and since I don’t live with them (one is in college and the other lives with his mom), I am constantly worrying about them. They are why I do everything I do. My family is also part of the Aurora Central community and everyone is still reeling from what happened last week. The girl that was killed, Ally, went to our church, which made it even harder. Children are just so precious.

    I’ll say a prayer for you and your daughter. I try to say a prayer for children every day. A while back I was in church and the priest said: “If you don’t know what to pray for, just ask!” So I did, and felt a pull and conviction to pray for children. So that’s what I do! :–)

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  12. Oh gosh.!! So thankful for the angels that are looking after your daughter.! You and your family are in my thoughts tonight. So glad she is going to be ok.
    Take care of yourself also momma bear, your little girl needs you.

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  13. You have been on my mind all week. I often stop and wonder how you were doing and kept you and your family in my prayers. Praying for you all still and sending huge hugs from here.

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  16. Michelle,

    I am glad your daughter is home and recovering. She ( and you and your family ) will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️May the days ahead be filled with many blessings!xo

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  18. Aw Michelle…I’m so glad your daughter is ok. You are so very lucky to have such wonderful supportive angels in your life. All my love to you and your family ❤

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  19. So many tears right now. I’m so sorry about everything that has gone on, but SO HAPPY she’s okay!!! What a terrifying experience. I just can’t even imagine it. Much love to you and family and plenty of happy healing thoughts for your beautiful girl. ❤

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  21. Oh my goodness! I am so sorry that this happened, but I am so happy to hear that your little one is healing and on her way to recovery. I’ll be sure to add you and your family into my prayers.

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  22. You’ve really been through it in the last week, haven’t you? I’m so glad things went well and I hope they continue to go well. Make sure you look after you too. Sometimes things like this can catch up to you a couple of weeks later.

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  23. Tears pour down my face as I read this, Michelle. God is good and we must always remember that he listens to the prayers and the cries of his people. Thank God J. is ok and recovering. Please remember to take care of you too, ok? ♡♡♡

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  24. Oh, I am in tears! So glad she is doing OK, and thank goodness for all of those angels. It’s a great reminder of how even small acts of kindness can mean so much when someone is facing a hard time.

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  25. WOW! I am so sorry that your daughter and your family had to go through all that!!! I am so glad that she is feeling better! I will hold her, you, and your whole family in my thoughts and prayers!

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  28. I’ve been out of town and catching up on blogs, but OH MY GOD. I am so sorry to hear about this 😦 I got super teary eyed reading this. I was in a car accident when I was in grad school and while I wasn’t too seriously injured, it took me so long to feel comfortable driving again and my mental recovery was tough. This makes me think about all of the things that could have gone wrong. Your daughter is so strong and beautiful, and so are you! I can’t imagine how hard that must have been waiting until she was okay to go home and it sounds like things are hopefully calming down now. I hope you are feeling better and that she is on her way to a full recovery!

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  29. I can’t even imagine what you were going through when you got there, and waiting in the hospital, and even now. So happy you had friends, family and staff to support you! HUGE HUGS and prayers for J!

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  33. I’m so glad to know that your daughter has healed 100%. God is so good! You know, my third son had a serious jet ski accident last August – he hit a bridge with his face while riding as a passenger on the back of a jet ski and had to be air-lifted to a Trauma hospital – multiple skull fractures, severe concussion along with multiple stitches in various areas of his face – He has recovered 100% as well; in fact, his life turned 180 degrees that day – he became a new person that is so much more grateful for life and love – and he thanks God for his healing – again, God is so good! (yet another reason I think we’re soul sisters!!) 🙂

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