From hospital to home

Friends,

I apologize! It has been like three weeks since I last put up a post. Just believe me when I say this has been the hardest time of my life… but I promise to do better in putting up updates for those of you who are following. :)

Just a few days ago, I completed 3 complete weeks since I came home from the hospital! March 30th recently passed as well, marking three months since my injury. There is a lot to give an update on, but before I move into my time home, there are many thanks to be given. I wish to backtrack into some of the months that I stayed in the hospital. It is impossible to thank everyone for their unique contributions. Many have prayed, visited, and generously spent time with me in the hospital. Countless others wrote me letters, sent flowers, selflessly raised funds for my recovery, and recently, even held a basketball tournament on my behalf. To all who have in any way helped, prayed, or visited me… thank you. I have been reluctant to mention any particular group or individual because there were so many who helped in significant ways. I just want to highlight a few people or groups who helped in an especially unique manner.

The first thanks goes to my rehab team. These are the angels that taught me how to use my newly injured body again. There were very few times when I was able to convey to a therapist or doctor my gratitude for what they were doing for me. I doubt that any of the people in this picture had any idea of what they mean to me. There were also countless more in the hospital who became dear friends, including the staff and nurses in particular. In a very real sense, these people saved a part of my life, and allowed me a certain degree of mobility that I otherwise would not have. Thank you, Team Rehab, for everything you did for me. I love you dearly.



On Sunday, February 23, friend and fellow flutist, Gabriel Gutierrez, organized a benefit concert in El Paso, Texas. The concert was beautiful, high-quality, and contained some of my very favorite pieces that Gabriel played himself. I was lucky enough to see it all on Facetime in my very own hospital room. I want to thank Gabriel personally as well as all those who, without ever having met me, attended the concert. I can't say I didn't shed a few tears at witnessing such generosity. This is a picture of Eric Hanson singing a beautiful rendition of "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables.



Next thanks goes to Adams Elementary, a local elementary school, and the one several of my family members attended. Many of you know I am very single, but that didn't keep me from receiving a lot of very special love in a very special way on Valentine's Day. I received well over 300 individual valentines from the students at Adams Elementary! I enjoyed going through the valentines, trying to decipher the uniquely spelled words of children learning to read and write. What more could I have asked for on Valentine's Day than the love of hundreds of little children? Nothin. :) Thanks Adams Elementary!



Shortly before I left the hospital I had surprise visitors Jon Schmidt and his wife, Michelle. Hospitals can get pretty quiet at 9 o'clock at night,  but I can tell you that the rehab floor wasn't so silent on this one! John was generous enough to play me and my visitors a little concert on a donated upright piano in the lounge. It had been a while since I had heard live music, which made this experience all the more meaningful. I laughed and cried on more than one occasion during his playing. They were very generous and kind to visit me, seeing as I am a complete stranger. This was the first time that I had met the Schmidt family, but I hope it won't be the last.

I had the great honor of having Elder L. Tom Perry come and visit me in the hospital. I am not exactly sure how he became aware of my injury and recovery, but I am guessing that it was either from my blog or the fact that he was at my home stake conference shortly following my accident. If you have kept up on any of my other blog posts, it's no news to you that I felt the great need for spiritual guidance and comfort. There was a time specifically that I prayed for strength beyond my own and for direction and vision as to my life, seeing that things had been so dramatically altered. Elder Perry came at just the right moment, and his blessing gave me reason to hope for a brighter future in terms of both recovery, and purpose in life. I am grateful for the personal visit he and his wife made to me, and for the time they took to minister to one individual in need.

I don't even know where to start here... there are few times that I feel in adequate in being able to express my love or feelings, but I don't know if words could ever be enough to describe what I feel for my parents. Thanking my parents for what they have done for me could require a whole blog post of its own, and I'm sure at some point that will be the case. I am confident in saying that I have no idea what my parents have been through in trying to keep me well and alive. When they were not at the hospital, they were working tirelessly at home to renovate and prepare the house for when I returned. When I look at this picture, I easily cry. I have incredibly strong relationships with both of my parents. I have known without a doubt my whole life that they love me and would sacrifice anything for the benefit of me or my siblings. However, I have never witnessed love like I have witnessed from my parents in the last three months. They have set aside everything to come to my aid. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) I have seen the greatest expression of love as my parents have laid down their own personal interests for me, and know that they would do this for any member of my family. I have watched them walk with me through every step of this nightmarish journey. I have always counted my family and especially my parents as my greatest blessing. I hope they know how much they mean to me, and I will strive to prove my love to them like they have proved it to me. I would not be who I am today if it were not for the examples and love of my parents.

As I said earlier, there are so many thanks to be given from my time in the hospital, it is difficult to only mention a few. I don't know where I acquired such wonderful friends and family, but like I have said before, you have been the ones who have saved me. Thank you to all of you who have chosen to walk my journey with me. God bless you!