Trials

Note:  The events in this post happened over 6 weeks ago.  We are all doing well and healthy now!

Whoever said, “ when it rains, it pours” must have moved.  It comes with trials as you distance yourself from your family and friends and things that are comfortable to you.  I am wishing for the days of quarantine when there was nothing to do and no worries.  I need a week on the beach in the sun!

Many of you are aware of our recent unresolved troubles. Then one day, we received a call from Alex. He had been snowboarding with some friends, caught an edge and crashed breaking his wrist. He was headed into surgery the next day. They had to insert a metal piece into his wrist to make it functional. As a mother, I was upset that I couldn’t be there for him. His roommates were acting as guardians and getting him to and from the surgery. He had a rough couple of days but is fully healed and cleared from the doctor.

The one saving grace for the kids is that the pool at the clubhouse is finally open.  That was one thing they looked forward to when Dennis rented the house.  So one Monday night we decided to swim as a family.  We loaded up our towels and googles.  It was a beautiful evening so we decided to walk the mile to the pool.  It would be good for all of us, right?!  We swam a short time by ourselves but as the sun set, the bats started flying to the surface of the water to get the bugs.  We decided it probably wasn’t safe to stay as we didn’t want to get rabies.

The pool is surrounded by a rough foot-wide edge.  The remaining deck of the pool area is a smooth tan tile. As Dennis exited the pool and stepped down from the edge to the smooth tile, he slipped.  The water that had run from his body to the deck had made it like an ice skating rink. He hit hard on the ground landing with his neck and head on the raised rough edge and his body on the lower deck.  We immediately went to his aid.  We didn’t dare move him because of how he had hit.  In the dark, we didn’t see any blood but it was hard to tell.  

He was semi-coherent and told us that he couldn’t feel his body.  He kept closing his eyes so I made the kids continue to talk to him as I hurried to get the clubhouse attendant.  A mother and daughter, from the gym that overlooks the pool, heard the commotion and came to help.  They told me about a nearby rural health facility where English was spoken that might be able to help.

At this point, Dennis was attempting to get up.  He said he was fine and just wanted to go home.  As he sat to get his shoes on, we knew that he wasn’t.  He showed the signs of a concussion: asking questions, not remembering anything, and pain.  He was sure he was fine and could walk home. So it was decided that the kids would walk slowly with him, trying to talk him into sitting down, as I ran home to get our car.  I couldn’t call someone to help us as I didn’t know anyone in our area, our cell phones were turned off, and the church members I have met live more than 30 minutes away.

I had just exited the pool and it made it difficult to run as water ran down into my flip flops.  I ran that mile as fast as I could hoping they wouldn’t make it very far.  The further I got, the more my present situation hit me.  I was overwhelmed and started to cry.  “Where was I going to take him?  I can’t speak to anyone?   I haven’t even driven here and it’s dark out now.” 

As I approached the turn to my house, a car pulled up next to me.  It was a lady I had met one time.  She asked why I was running in the dark and I explained my problem.  She offered her help.  She drove to get a friend while I continue home to retrieve money, a passport, and keys.

Within minutes, I had driven back toward the kids.  At this point, the lady who offered her help arrived and Dennis and I piled into her car sending the kids to continue home.  Her friend knew a good hospital and spoke the language.  

Thankfully Dennis’ head scan came back clean and they sent him home to rest.  He recovered quickly and we were grateful for branch members who offered help in those first few days as he had pain lingering down his right arm.

This one experience reminded me that there is a plan for all of us.  Even when you feel like the world is falling down around you, there is hope!   Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know me personally.  They know my pain and shortcomings.  They provided in my time of need.  I did all that I could and they filled in the gaps. They provided a way in my darkness.  I’m grateful for someone who was willing to serve a stranger.  I hope I can bless someone else in return.