Thursday November 24, 2005 Thanksgiving

Thursday November 24, 2005 Thanksgiving Day and Zack slept until after 9:00. He was anxious to go to Scott’s parents and eat lots of good food. Scott finally got home last night after being gone for twelve days. He took a job in Florida tiling a pool deck and didn’t want me to mention that he would not be at home. Zack and the kids were very excited to see him last night and as soon as he got home he had to play pool with Zack. This morning they were catching up on all that had happened while he was away. As we drove to Scott’s parents Zack was pointing out the clouds again, this time to his Dad. Scott looked at me with tears in his eyes, realizing the appreciation Zack showed of the world God has created that we seem never to have time to notice. As we drive down River Road all of us listen as Zack points out things to us that we have passed a hundred times but now see in a new way. Once we arrive and get all the hugs out of the way Zack sits down next to me in the living room. He looks at me and says, “It stinks that I got myself messed up. I’m really sorry I did that to you. Thanks for being there”. This has not been his first apology but today it seemed to mean more to him than before. We are all hungry and a decision is made to let Zack say grace (wise since it could have gone on all day if left to Scott or myself). His prayer was simple. “Thank you Lord for all of us being here together, especially me”. I didn’t hear much after that because I was thinking about how close we came to him not being here with us. He finished and everyone started to load their plates up. Scott went to sit in the living room and I know it was because he needed to compose himself before trying to eat. Zack would point at food that he has eaten all his life and ask, “What is this again?” The aphasia (language disorder) is still apparent at the oddest times. It is rather strange to have a meal with a teenager who actually talks during dinner. He would ask questions and kept exclaiming how good his favorite foods were. One time he leaned over to Robin (his aunt, Scott’s brother’s wife) and asked her if she knew that he got himself messed up. She told him that she had been at the hospital and he replied, “That’s good”. He doesn’t realize that his accident was a major event for most of the people, family and friends, that knew him. He doesn’t remember the accident, University Hospital or Frazier Rehab at all. He recognizes some of the therapist and doctors at Frazier from his photo album as being familiar, but he doesn’t really remember them. After dinner he watches the football game but it wasn’t long before he slides next to me and asked when we were leaving. Already he is tired and says he can’t wait to go home and take a nap. It is a special treat for me to sit next to him at the fireplace with his arm around me as we watch the half time show. Once we get home he asks if he could go to the movies tonight with Trey and Andrew and then heads off to bed. Later Rick joins the group at the movies and then they all end up at our house. They decide to watch movies downstairs instead of playing pool which will give Zack a chance to fall asleep in front of the TV if he gets too tired. We are thankful that his friends chose to hang out here with Zack. We are thankful that Zack is able to enjoy having them here, that he is here. We are thankful that God has chosen to bless us so richly through this experience. This Sunday in church will be special. It will give us a special opportunity to open our hearts in humble thanksgiving in a place that has come to know our tears all to well. Tears of anguish and tears of joy. Cleansing tears of appreciation that seem to come from an endless supply. Tomorrow Zack and all our children will be with us in church as we worship as a family. It will be the first time that Scott has seen Zack sing in church (he had to sit in the cry room the first few weeks and then Zack was in High School worship) and I know it will be emotional. I hope that those with us, if only in prayer, can be inspired this Sunday to be thankful for the simple blessings God has given them. To know that He is in control and to trust that His plan is perfect. Pray that you will hear God whisper and know that he cares for you. Please continue to pray for Zack's complete recovery for God’s glory.
Psalm 25:15 “How glorious to embrace the certainty that when there seems to be no way out, God can miraculously lift us up and away from whatever is seeking to devour us.”