Sixteen years ago, today, David and I were living what appeared to be “the American Dream.” We had 2 beautiful, healthy children. David was an engineer, climbing the ranks within the company he worked for and we owned a nice house in a great neighborhood. I loved working as a part time youth director at our church. We considered ourselves blessed beyond measure. We had a “perfect” little life.
Then August 20, 1999 happened and our world changed in a flash; quite literally. David went to work that day and the life that we knew was ripped out from under us. David was engulfed in a ball of fire that afternoon and suffered severe burns to over 90% of his body. We were separated from our children for the next four months, while David fought for his life in a Burn Unit that was almost three hours away from our home.
I find it quite interesting, that we never think that our lives will change in the blink of an eye, even though we all know that tragedy strikes all around us and that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.
Proverbs 27:1 says,
“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.”
We’re never fully prepared to face what comes our way.
Thankfully, we have a God that holds us in those times, so we don’t have to try to do it all on our own.
I truly feel like God has held our family together over the past sixteen years. We’ve had to face unsurmountable odds; armed with prayer and faith, and we have survived. We’ve been given a strength that defies humanity. We’ve been comforted beyond what was possible by friends and family alone.
Today, David and I are travelling to Chicago because tomorrow David is scheduled to have another surgery. The future, yet again, is unknown. We pray that it will only be another skin graft and that we aren’t facing another round of cancer in his right leg, but we know that regardless of the outcome, God continues to hold us. He will comfort us and give us the strength to face tomorrow.
It feels a little strange to be tackling this right now, the actual week of the 16th Anniversary of David’s initial injury. Surgery dates always bring about a rush of emotions, but this seems more significant. I’m hopeful it will signify another time of defying the odds stacked against us. I can’t believe it’s been sixteen years!
Please pray for our family. Pray for the surgeon and medical team that will be involved in David’s surgery. Pray for the IV to go in on the first try. Pray for good pathology reports that are clear of any cancer. Pray for David as he recovers, for his pain and ability to rest and deal with a temporary loss of independence. Pray for patience for the nurse (me- J). Pray that we will find opportunities to show God to those around us.
I think it’s pretty amazing, considering everything we’ve been through, that we still feel blessed beyond measure.
We will be praying for you all Carly. Keep the faith!
Mark & Gaylene
Thanks, Mark. We appreciate your continued prayers and friendship!
I remember when you used to come to our church–First United Methodist–here in Crawfordsville. And I have heard our friends Bob and Mary Gooding tell of your continued journey. My prayers are among the multitude of prayers that are coming your way. You have been remarkable in your journey.
Isobel, thank you so much for keeping tabs on us through the Gooding’s and for your prayers. We greatly appreciate them.
my son was in an explosion in Pitsburo,Indiana. both legs were burned all the way up his side and under his arm. He was in Wishard hospital for a long time. that was in 2005. he was going to run for cancer victems in Crawfordsville. they were lined up ready to run when this not so nice women srarted making fun of him. so he droped out.good thing ,I was,nt there.he now is working construction in Texas.
Oh my. Some people are just so insensitive and rude. I’m sorry to hear that your son has encountered those difficult moments. I pray that he’d doing well now. Where is he working in Texas? We used to live in the Beaumont area.