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.