We recently returned home from an amazing Spring Break trip with our son and a couple of his good buddies. We went on a Caribbean Cruise to the beautiful islands of St. Thomas and St. Maarten. While I enjoyed many hours of just relaxing in a lounge chair, I must admit that one of the most memorable moments from last week was when I was just a bystander.
The guys signed up for an excursion while we were in St. Maarten. After jet skiing in the crystal blue waters, they met with instructors for a Discover Scuba session. Over 20 years ago, David received his scuba certification training while we lived in Minnesota but a lot has happened in our lives since then, including the explosion that changed our lives forever and left him severely burned.
Towards the end of David’s 3 ½ month hospitalization at the Burn Unit in Galveston, Texas one of his occupational therapists met with us to help give us a vision of what David might realistically accomplish again after his injury. His hands were severely damaged and we questioned what the future might bring. We appreciated her honesty when she said she thought David might learn how to walk again without the use of a walker or wheelchair, but that she wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to button a shirt again. We accepted this challenge and realized it might be the new reality of our lives but we were determined to move forward, one step at a time.
Over the years, David has never ceased to amaze those who know and love him. His strong will, sometimes referred to as stubbornness, has enabled him to conquer life despite the limited use of his hands and the restrictions of his body. His engineering mind has assisted him in inventing little tools to help him open the gas cap on the vehicle so he could fill up the tank, or a tool to help him turn the key in the ignition since his wrists won’t twist, or the pulley system he installed in our garage to help him get heavy items out of the bed of his truck. The list goes on. This man cannot be stopped.
In the past, our family has vacationed at a beautiful Christian Family Ranch in the mountains near Estes Park, Colorado. While at Wind River Ranch, David has climbed to the peaks of several mountains. This from a guy who was told he might not walk again…
So last week, when I saw my hubby strap on the scuba gear I couldn’t have been more proud! The scuba instructor was slightly concerned that David’s hands wouldn’t be able to open far enough to hold onto his mask and the breathing regulator as he jumped off the boat into the water. With a little practice, David assured him that he was more than capable, but he might need to make a few minor adjustments to how he handled the equipment.
This was just one more thing David’s been able to cross off of his never-ending list of accomplishments. It was one more thing he was able to conquer. It felt like he was regaining his life back since it was an activity he did prior to being hurt. As I stood on the boat and watched David jump off into the water after our son, and as they sank below the surface of the water to explore the beautiful creations of the sea, I relished in the fact that our family has conquered so much together and I was grateful beyond words and beaming with joy to witness all that was happening.
How has God made the impossible a reality in your life?
A great story about a great guy by a great woman. We are glad you are in our lives. We are always on your side!!