Somebody Pinch Me . . .
(This is a late report on Christmas Day in Suwanee. For Monday's report see the immediately preceding post.)
Our Christmas celebration in Suwanee yesterday had many of the traditional accoutrements. David Pippenger rustled up an incredible southern breakfast of homemade biscuits with sausage and gravy, the fireplace was glowing and Christmas music played in the background. But our clebration took a decidedly nontraditional turn when a miracle walked in the door around 3 o'clock. Shea always brightens a room but to see her on her feet and smiling on Christmas Day brought a special glow to our celebration. For all of us who have lived through this accident in person or via the blog we know there is no rational explanation for Shea's remarkable recovery. Sitting next to her at dinner Christmas night I couldn't help shaking my head in disbelief and thinking "Somebody pinch me so I know this is for real".
None of us could have asked or prayed for more. So we won't search for rational explanations; we'll just be thankful for all of your prayer and support and that we were able to witness a miracle. Shea is grateful and dumbfounded at this outpouring of support. That is just part of Shea's sweet spirit.
Shea will spend up to a week in Shepherd Center in Atlanta going through a battery of tests to confirm that there are no hidden pockets of brain injury that have gone undetected. Shea seems to find this at turns amusing and annoying and I know she would want us all to pray that she can quickly complete these tests and move to an outpatient program for any further physical therapy.
The black spot that Shea has been seeing in her left eye is now more reddish in color to her, which would seem to corroborate the doctor's view that this may be due to blood in the eye from the impact. With time we hope that these blood specks will be absorbed naturally by the body and Shea's vision returned to normal in that eye. We've asked a lot here so why stop now!
This was a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas for us. As my sister Kathy recently wrote: "Shea's accident helped in many ways to distill for me all that is really of value: family, friends, gratitude, love, health. It really gets pretty basic when the important things are valued. This Christmas will be the least perfect by many standards because we haven't had much time to prepare, but by all that is good, it will be the best." And indeed it was the best!
John Anderson
Our Christmas celebration in Suwanee yesterday had many of the traditional accoutrements. David Pippenger rustled up an incredible southern breakfast of homemade biscuits with sausage and gravy, the fireplace was glowing and Christmas music played in the background. But our clebration took a decidedly nontraditional turn when a miracle walked in the door around 3 o'clock. Shea always brightens a room but to see her on her feet and smiling on Christmas Day brought a special glow to our celebration. For all of us who have lived through this accident in person or via the blog we know there is no rational explanation for Shea's remarkable recovery. Sitting next to her at dinner Christmas night I couldn't help shaking my head in disbelief and thinking "Somebody pinch me so I know this is for real".
None of us could have asked or prayed for more. So we won't search for rational explanations; we'll just be thankful for all of your prayer and support and that we were able to witness a miracle. Shea is grateful and dumbfounded at this outpouring of support. That is just part of Shea's sweet spirit.
Shea will spend up to a week in Shepherd Center in Atlanta going through a battery of tests to confirm that there are no hidden pockets of brain injury that have gone undetected. Shea seems to find this at turns amusing and annoying and I know she would want us all to pray that she can quickly complete these tests and move to an outpatient program for any further physical therapy.
The black spot that Shea has been seeing in her left eye is now more reddish in color to her, which would seem to corroborate the doctor's view that this may be due to blood in the eye from the impact. With time we hope that these blood specks will be absorbed naturally by the body and Shea's vision returned to normal in that eye. We've asked a lot here so why stop now!
This was a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas for us. As my sister Kathy recently wrote: "Shea's accident helped in many ways to distill for me all that is really of value: family, friends, gratitude, love, health. It really gets pretty basic when the important things are valued. This Christmas will be the least perfect by many standards because we haven't had much time to prepare, but by all that is good, it will be the best." And indeed it was the best!
John Anderson
posted by admin | 11:53 PM
13 Comments:
Merry Christmas, Hickok Family. Shea, we are so happy that you got to be home for Christmas. That truly is a miracle. We always enjoy reading up on your progress. The Christmas entries brought tears to my eyes. It truly does make us appreciate the things that are important in life. May God's blessings continue to flow on you.
Love, The Cooks
Meryy Christmas, Shea!!
Dear Lauren,
Wow...what a great girl you are, as you have been your whole life. You are such an inspiration... just by the recent blog I can see just how much you love Luke.
Luke you have an amazing sister, but of course you already know that and Im sure she knows how great of a brother you are too.
Lauren thank you so much for sharing your sweet spirit with us and even though I havent seen you in a while I know you are the same sweet Lauren, or Shea, that I once knew..maybe even sweeter. Keep up the good work and even though this is hard I know you will get through this. God is helping you and His work isnt done.
Love,
Evy Noland
Of course we will continue to pray for Shea. I look forward to seeing more of what God will do...through the updates here. It is especially important for those of us who are not closely connected to your family, but have become attached through prayer.
I am somewhat familiar with the Anderson family through Kathy..and I must say that it has been a sweet thing to behold...brothers and sisters standing together in continued support, love, and presence during the darkest days... It speaks volumes for your dear mother and father, and for the Godly values they diligently taught you all.
I can only hope that our children would do the same...
Hickok family,
I am so happy that you got to have Lauren home with you for Christmas. Wheat a joy this must have been. Keep hanging in their and trusting in the Lord. I am still praying for all of you. I check the blog several times during the day so that I will remember to pray for you.
Marlene
This is so amazing! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I will pray ever so diligently about your testing at the Shepherd Center. God will continue to be faithful and I'm confident that he will continue to knit you back together ever so carefully. He won't forget about your eye and vision! Our Lord is leading each one of you right now, may he restore your soul and your joy. I am posting the lyrics to Ginny Owens' song, If You Want Me To. This has been one of my favorite songs since I first heard it, and when I listen to it lately it reminds me of your walk through this valley. Again with lots of love, prayers, hope, and excitement about your continued healing and progress,
Marian Madden
Ginny Owens- If You Want Me To
The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
No I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness
If You want me to
When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I will walk through the valley if you want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley if you want me to
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I Love you Shea and you im praying for you and i look up to u in so many ways i cant wait to see you!! Love ya,Payton Polhill
After my husband graduated from Phoenix Seminary, we accepted an executive pastor's position here in Billings, MT - so I've prayed for your support system in Georgia since you were fairly new there as well. Very soon I realized God had supplied that over and above what I could have imagined. What a blessing it has been to be a prayer part of what God has done for Shea and in Shea. From a mother who has ached with you, Cory
Merry Christmas Hickoks!
We are so glad that you were able to spend Christmas at home Shea! At least for some time. What an amazing gift for everyone! We are constantly reading and praying for your full recovery. "Crazy Karen" (aka Karen Moss) also keeps us updated with the lastest and makes sure we are praying for the most urgent requests. :) She loves you all so much! And so do we!
You are such a blessing Shea, to sooooo many. And now you are showing others by your actions, what trusting in God truly means! I cant tell you how many people have read your blog and now believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ. Both Christian and Non-Christian. Your strength and heart is so incredible. I (Briana) always read your Blog at work and find myself tearing up every single time. I always have to run to the bathroom and pretend like a giant dust bunny fell in my eye ... LOL... :)
The love of family and friends is absolutely incredible. And I know that you already know that. But your therapist is right. You are touching so many lives Shea! I have a feeling that you will be hearing stories of "changed lives because of Shea" for YEARS to come!!! I know mine has been.
God is going to use you in a MIGHTY MIGHTY way! :)
We love you all!! And MERRY MERRY CHIRSTMAS!!!!!
Ruth and Briana Lefebvre
Hello Shea,
We are wondering how things are going for you at Shepherds. This is a time of hard work for you, as well as some trying times when you are treated as though you are brain damaged. Your therapist has given you good counsel, though, which was confirmed for me when I was reading II Corinthians 1 today. Paul reminds us that sometimes we are allowed to go through difficult times in order that we will be able to comfort others. You were a comfort and encouragement to others before your accident. Now you will have an even greater ministry to those who are suffering.
Having said that, I am so sorry that you are having to go through this difficult time. God has given you a difficult assignment, but remember that He only asks us to do what He enables us to do. So let Him be your strength.
All of us from Knoxville send you lots of hugs and kisses. We're looking forward to the day you come to visit!
Lovingly,
Aunt Kathy
Dear Steve, Susan, Shea, Luke and Jess;
We have been praying for all of you. Words hardly seem adequate for all the trauma, emotion, and miracles that have gone on the last many weeks. Isn't the Body of Christ an amazing thing? When one is hurt, we all hurt. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. We have hurt with you. We are rejoicing now with you in the progress the Lord is accomplishing.
Two of my favorite memories of you, Shea, are your singing the song of an angel at a Heart to Heart Christmas Musical and also your sweet excitement at being allowed to hold and love on my babies. I look forward to the day when you can meet all our kids. Keep looking up to the Lord.
We love you,
Melody Hendricks (for all of us . . . Rob, Marijean, Caroline, Emily, Zachary and Luke)
Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."
Shea, i'm listening to intimate father from your cd right now. i have most of it memorized now. it has become so personal, i can tell it came from your heart, whenever i hear it, i find myself holding back tears. you are so sweet, so precious. Looking back, i can't believe all you have been through.
I know this blog will be a lot less updated but i want you to know that i really don't want to lose contact again. lol. Contact, how funny because i actually haven't heard from you at all but I feel so close to you through our bonds in Christ.
How long will you be at Shephard??? Hope your recovery continues to be just as miraculous and fast as it was in the beginning. I saw you had some of the tubes taken out today. i'll bet that was painful but just think about the first real food you want to eat. What is it? For me, probably chocolate. unfortunately they will probably start you out on crackers or something, but how cool to finally be able to have something of actual substance and flavor in your mouth. lol. its always the little things we take advantage of and never really realize that we have, huh?
Well, Dan gets his stitches out tomorow from his accident, i think he is nervous but when we think of your story and experience, i know it dulls in comparison.
We are headed up north tomorrow. it will be nice to get away, clear my head. And get into cold weather! It was 80 degrees on Christmas day!!! We were runnin around in shorts. Go figure!
hey, i was wondering what other prayer requests you have right now. I hope and pray that God will really restore a sense of self-esteem in you. I can imagine how hard it is to feel beautiful, and having read that you cry when looking in the mirror, i just want you to know that I think its so important for us, as women and Christians to realize our inner and outer beauty and use those to exalt Christ. He made you, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. he knew this would happen and knows what will come. He is the creator of true beauty. He protected you, and your gorgeous face, despite all its gone through! Anyways, i was just thinking like a girl and i know its something that can be scary, but I will pray God gives you peace and the patience to wait for all your necessary healing. Well, its late here, so I better go. Love you!
Rach
Good morning,Shea,from Jamestown, NY. I caught up on your "journal" just now. God is so good and so ever present in your recovery as He just shows His love to you every moment. Shea, what a testimony you have to share with your children some day in the future!
Have a wonderful day Hickok family!!
Post a Comment
<< Home