Sometimes the events in our lives follow a course we did not plan to take. This past week, my family experienced a trial that will change us all. My son, Jimmy, had a serious accident at the ranch.
We are still in the thick of the trauma, and I am writing this post in the wee hours Friday night, so I am not sure where this writing will lead.
I know this post will not lead to a report on the sedums at the ranch because I could not make it to Comfort this week. I expect the sedums are blooming, and I look forward to seeing their sunshine yellow color soon.
For this week, we can imagine them together.
Sunshine will have a new meaning for Jimmy.
Jimmy was seriously burned in a fire accident at the ranch this past weekend. His burns are predominantly second-degree on one side of his face and on both of his hands. He will heal. His burn team doctors are optimistic his face will heal without scarring. They are evaluating whether he needs surgery on his hands.
Jimmy is in pain, and he is strong to endure what he is going through. This is hard, and it hurts.
We are extraordinarily fortunate to live near the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) Burn Center, where our nation’s military burn victims are treated. Jimmy is an outpatient at the burn center and receiving the best expert care available.
We are also fortunate for friends, and family, and Jimmy’s Baylor family who are sending well wishes and prayers. Thank you.
I believe in the power of prayer and welcome yours if you wish to pray for Jimmy.
When I started this blog just a few months ago, I did not know what to expect. I was most afraid of being vulnerable. I was not sure I was comfortable sharing my thoughts.
Since that post, I am learning that my fingers are most fluid on the keyboard when I let the writing take me to the vulnerable places. And, as my friends share with me in those vulnerabilities, it helps to be less fearful.
I concluded my first blog post with these words:
“I may not feel comfort starting this blog. But, I am seeking comfort. Not the modern dictionary meaning of comfort — to soothe, relief, or a feeling of consolation. Comfort as in the Latin origin confortare — to strengthen. Strengthen me, strengthen you, strengthen a small piece of the world we can impact? I don’t really know, but I am hopeful. I’ll give my best as I walk to find out. I welcome you to walk with me.”
Unaware of Jimmy’s accident, on Monday, a friend sent me an email sharing her thoughts about the multiple meanings in the title of my blog, Take Comfort.
She shared the verse from John 14:16 that was read in her bible study the week before. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
These words comfort me. Jimmy, I hope they comfort you.
If you are having a trial in your life, perhaps they can give you comfort too.
Lisa, thank you for sharing and walking with me.
After the nightmare of Saturday when Jimmy had his accident, we awoke the next morning, Easter Sunday, and Jim read an email message from his sister. An Episcopal priest, Jody had posted an Easter message on her blog the evening before titled, “Greetings!” She was sharing Matthew’s telling of the risen Jesus appearing before the two Mary’s and the exuberance of the Easter season.
In her message, as she painted a picture for her readers of feeling joyful and being excited about sharing good news, she recounted a story of little Jimmy having “the best day ever.” She included a picture of Jimmy with a caption, “Exuberance.”
This was an emotional picture to see, waking up the day after the accident.
Jody did not know of Jimmy’s accident when she posted her story, but it is easy to imagine she would use a picture of Jimmy to give an example of exuberance. Anyone who knows Jimmy can immediately recall an occasion (or more than one) where Jimmy is full of fun and exuberance.
Just last week, in my blog post about my mom, I included a video of an exuberant Jimmy singing “Sweet Caroline.” Watch those 6 seconds and you will not only smile, but you will lift a little and experience the exuberance Jimmy exhibits.
I talked with Jody and shared that Jimmy was not feeling exuberant at the moment. She replied, “ya, but he is exuberant in his heart.”
My sweet, fun, wonderful Jimmy, your outward exuberance may be on hold, but take comfort you are healing and your exuberance will soon shine as bright as ever.
Have a Happy Saturday.
Oh Karen.. sending prayers to the Lord to hold Jimmy in HIS mighty strong hands and give him strength to endure the pain and comfort that his LORD is holding him super tight in HIS arms. Praying for all of you. So sorry for this terrible accident
Praying for the entire medical team. Love the references of scripture my dear cuz. Sending this post to a few deat friends to pray for all of you. . Hugs
Julie, thank you for your words and for your prayers.
Love, Karen
Karen, I am crying as I read this. I am so, so sorry about Jimmy and this terrible accident. From one mom to another, I just can not imagine what you all must be going through and what Jimmy is experiencing. Sending heartfelt prayers for Jimmy and all of you! Love and hugs and deep prayers.
Thank you. Moms are a great support to me!
Oh Karen, I am so sorry to hear this. Jimmy and your entire family are in my prayers. I know that he is in the best place (in the world!) for burn injuries — Thank God for the talented team at SAMMC! If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. Prayers for all who are providing medical care to Jimmy and for all who love him.
Thank you. I will pass along all the support for the team at SAMMC when we are there Monday morning. They are incredible. And thank you for the support for our family.
Karen, Elizabeth and I are praying for Jimmy…praying for his pain management, comfort, and especially for his total healing. Please let us know what we can do to support your sweet family. Jonathan
Thank you. You have always been a support for Jimmy and we are grateful to you for that. Thanks.
Count me as one of your friends praying for a full recovery–and for that inner strength we all need at times like this. I am thinking of you this am.❤️
Sent from my iPhone
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Candace, your prayers for us are special. Thank you.
Karen, my thoughts and prayers remain with you, both Jimmy’s (= , Alexandra and Jimmy’s medical team. Several years ago, you shared a wonderful thought with me when we were comforting/discussing our mothers dementia which I have taken to heart and used in other life trials…everyday is a new normal. Sometimes we may need to even shorten the timeframe of a day to provide us comfort. Right now, everyday and even within the same day for Jimmy is a new norm as Our Great Physician guides the medical team and time allows his body to heal. External sunshine now has a new meaning but as Jody said his internal exuberance and sunshine is embedded in his soul. His faith, family and friends will keep that light within him shining as the song says, this little light of mine…
I leave you with 2 scriptures that I pray bring you and your family comfort at this time as you continue to bring comfort to us through your words.
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God of All Comfort
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Dear Lord, I ask you wrap your arms around Jimmy and stifle his pain as you are completely healing his burns. In his name, Amen
Hugs and misses, Cynthia
Thank you. So glad you were able to be with Jim yesterday.
Dear Karen,
Byron and I are praying for Jimmy, his doctors, and your family for peace, comfort, and the knowledge that God is holding Jimmy in His hands and will carry him through this season. Please let us know if we can help in any way, but know you’ve got four prayer warriors on the job from our family.
Kathleen
Kathleen,
Thank you. I am becoming overwhelmed by this support because week to week I do not know who even reads these posts, so know that your support is appreciated. Thank you.
Karen, I am so sorry about Jimmy’s accident yet so grateful that he will be okay & will heal. Going through something like this with your child is heartwrenching & terrifying. We will be praying for all of you! Praying for comfort, peace & healing. Send our love to Jimmy. He is an exuberant soul!❤ Much love to you all.
~Leah
Thanks for always being right out my window. You and Steve are great friends.
Karen,
We will keep Jimmy, your whole family and the medical team in our prayers.
Love,
Alethea
Thanks Alethea. So good to see you the other day. We appreciate your prayers.
Great words of comfort today. So true that comfort fosters strength. I am grateful that healing is happening and will continue to pray for all of you.
Caren, Thank you. I know that healing is happening and I am grateful for our new friendship.
Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Jimmy’s accident! So glad you have the wonderful medical team at SAMMC to take care of him. Your entire family is in our prayers and hoping Jimmy is back to his exuberant self in no time!
Love,
Christie
Thank you Christie. I appreciate your support.
My heart goes out to your dear family.
Words escape me. “..the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we donot know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit interceeds for us with sighs too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
Love you, Cody/Mom/ GM 🙏🐢💞
Thanks for being there for us and for listening.
“Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” I believe this isn’t just about mourning the death of another, but the other kinds of deaths that impact our lives. Certainly this is one not only for Jimmy, but all of you who are in pain with him. The beatitude invites us to be vulnerable, and in doing so, we are able to receive comfort – strength – from others. Karen, you are practicing this kind of blessedness. What a gift. 😘
Thank you Jody.
Karen, my heart aches for Jimmy and I am before the Father asking for healing in Jesus Name. My Mother’s heart goes out to you as you and Jim come along side of Jimmy as he continues on this journey back to complete healing. I’m grateful that I found your blog. PT had shared with me how much she enjoyed it and what a comfort it was for her while she walked this earth. Julie forwarded this blog to me and I am so thankful to reconnect with your family. Our prayers are with you and your family for peace during this storm and for God’s grace and mercy to fall fresh upon your precious family. We love and miss you.
Miss you all too. Thank you, and I am happy to hear from you. Jimmy will heal and I know the prayer support is working in his healing.
Karen — so sorry you and your family are experiencing this pain. Please know we are all praying for comfort and patience in what will feel like a very slow process. My brother was the beneficiary of SAMMC burn treatments almost 20 years ago. They are the best! Jimmy is in good hands. He will heal. He will need your strength, and I know he is in your good strong hands.
Thank you! Yes, SAMMC doctors are amazing.