The Bible says that it takes a Village to raise a child. While I do not feel childlike, I do KNOW and confirm the graces of God on my life and the Village that stood with me during this trial this past month.
Let's start from the beginning. On March 15, 2017, I found out that I was accepted with thirty-five educators (11 different countries) to go to London and work with Google as a Certified Innovator. Read more here...this is a HUGE DEAL.
Sharing in many congratulations and even having a front page article in the Anderson Independent Mail, it seems like there is nothing that could top the cheers for God.
My daddy was in a car accident, t-boned at an intersection in Florida. TEN HOURS away. Did I tell you he called me FIRST (not 911) and left a voicemail? He did. O.M.G.
Kira and I packed our bags and headed to Florida, arriving around 1 am. L-O-N-G-E-S-T drive ever. Praying, worrying, excitement (to see daddy and Nina), being with Kira and spending time...every, single, emotion. Thanking God, Daddy 'ONLY' walked away with road rash, stitches, soreness and high BP, notable from the adrenaline and car accident.
We spent a few days to make sure daddy was doing what he was supposed to be doing, resting and keeping him relaxed for BP sake, and home again we went.
PREPPING FOR LONDON
Back to work and making sure I had all of my 'assignments' completed for trip to London, packing before Spring Break for the Big Trip, booking tickets, hotel stay, and meetings on YouTube with my LON17 cohort, a lot happening. Spring Break was coming the following week and we wanted to enjoy our time relaxing in the sunshine before I left to fly over the ocean for 9.5 hours. (Have I shared my fear of flying?).
OFF TO FLORIDA, BUT NOT FOR SPRING BREAK
Robin (daddy's AMAZING wife), or Nina as we affectionately call her, let me know the Wednesday before spring break that they were going to have daddy's stitches removed. Off to their appointment to meet the new physician AND...daddy is off to the Emergency Room. How do you go from stitches and check-up to a whirlwind rush to the Emergency Room? Blood pressure is the culprit.
Nina calls me and says they are admitting daddy for observation overnight. Blood pressure was coming down, but with the ole ticker, you cannot be to cautious. With his Minion pjs, daddy was in, at least for the night.
THE NEWS THAT WOULD ROCK MY WORLD
As the doctors continued to monitor daddy's BP, they were running all kinds of tests for liver and kidney functions, checking his brain and so on....heart cath was next on the list. He would have a cath as part of the routine on Friday, April 14th. We were expecting this to be easy peasy. His cath was around 9 am and I received a phone call, less than an hour later...daddy was going to have open heart surgery Saturday morning.
SATURDAY MORNING! Less than 24 hours away. We are ten hours, minimally, away! Did I mention we are still in school, boys are at field day, Kira is going to Disney with her best friend over Spring Break, we did not have a kennel appointment for our TWO three dogs (update you on that later) and definitely was not packed.
Jumped in van, crying, freaking out, feeling OUT OF CONTROL...drove home and started throwing stuff in a bag. I am not even sure if I was cognizant of what I was packing. Kids arrive...in my manic calm demeanor I let them know that Granpapa is having surgery and we were having to leave a few days earlier to Florida. AND we did....two of the three dogs, 3 of the 4 children....and we boogied on down the road.
I love to drive. I wasn't worried about doing the ten hour trip by myself, but I was overwhelmed. A LOT OVERWHELMED. Thankfully, as we were driving, Nina called to say that the doctor would like to get some 'things' under contol before daddy went into surgery, including being transported to a phenomnal hospital (AND ONLY LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER) in Florida. This gave us a little time to breathe, stop, sleep and regain hope, love and peace.
We stopped in Richland, South Carolina, where my 'sister' and 'brother', Chris and Crystal live. (Their testimony is something. I will share with each of you one day.) Brief background: I met Crystal in 1997 while I was in college. She was a Senior in high school working at the University I attended. We are lifelong friends that have experienced insurmountable moments- including tears and praying through serious life sitations. She married Chris, which automatically added him into our friendship, but through the years, he grows on you. (*He also smells like 'man' and 'apples' if for some reason your senses needed that.)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN...
We were up early, throwing things in bags and heading to Florida, take 2. This time, Chris and Crystal joined me to help with the support I needed and driving partners. (THEY WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANT TO US!) Chris, well Chris headed a different direction then Crystal and I....he took my three to the 'Happiest Place on Earth'. The distraction for them...needed, AND their first trip to Walt Disney World!
Crystal and I headed to Orlando Regional Medical Center to see daddy.
SURGERY DAY
Surgery day came. It was a 'wait' for sure. They said surgery was Sunday, then Monday...then Tuesday...Tuesday it was. Daddy was supposed to go at 3:30 am, then 5:00 am....rolled into the operating room around 3 pm, we waited. A full room of suppport too! Not just Nina, Keli and Ashley (my two sisters), but family friends and neighbors....there to support Nina and me, someone they have never met.
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| (L) Gabe arrives! | (R) Me with Nina, Papa, Kelli and Ashley |
It was almost SEVEN hours before we got to see daddy. I also do not want to harp long on how 'bad' seeing him was....he was in ICU after surgery. My quirky, hardheaded, sarcastic daddy....TUBES...EVERYWHERE. I broke. Ashley broke. But, Nina....amazing. Told us it would be okay. Even shushed us like a mom would when their baby was being rocked to sleep. It was melodic.
His nurse, man she was jammed up, explained everything. Every SINGLE tube, where he would be over the next 24 hours, the long recovery ahead. She promised to take care of him with her 1:1 care and to update us if any needs were to arise. Abby, the nurse, asked us all to go home and sleep. We would need it for the days to come. AND to home we went.
PAPA'S DISCHARGE AND RECOVERY
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| (L) Grands with Papa before surgery, (C) Papa after surgery, (R) Visiting Papa at the hospital |
Oh the messages of love, prayer and support. Flowers sent to daddy from the Dand's (Mert and crew), phone calls, text messages from SC...thank you. I cannot thank that part of my village, too.
On Easter morning, my daddy was discharged. How can you NOT believe God had his hand in that? We were on the road back to South Carolina, after hours, days, minutes of contemplation about leaving, not only Florida and daddy, but consideration of NOT going to London. My father, breathlessly, told me, "Do it! Get. On. That. Plane". Monday, April 17, 2017, I got on the plane- read here.
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| (L) Daddy after surgery, (C) Easter Sunday, (R) Day after discharge, getting some air! |
MY VILLAGE
That brings me 360 to this, my village. Nina, thank you for loving my daddy so. He is choosing to live a life that makes not only himself better, but one for you, Alysha, Ashley, Keli and myself.Gabe, my rock, best friend and my everything- HOLY ROLLER COASTER! I bet you did not buy a ticket for this....but you rode it out beautifully. I love you unconditionally.
Mentioned before Chris and Crystal, 'Ohana means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind or forgotten."
To my birches, each of you contacted, called, texted and sent me words of wisdom, strength, and love...you are my best treasure of friendship.
Ember, you were looking up plane tickets. Forever you will be my BEST and I am so glad to have YOU.
Ashley and Keli, my sisters, we spent A LOT of time together, crying and talking. I appreciate how much you love Nina and my daddy. While the circumstances were not the best, it has made me realize I am not alone and you will watch over that hard head as much as I would.
To my bosses, Dr. Avery, Dr, McDavid and Mr. Couch- each of you checked on me too as a person. How was I doing? Your compassion for me as a professional, but more personal, is something I will remember as a leader.
To the behind the scenes people who took over the house, ran the roads, watched my babies, packed bags, picked me up from Atlanta, my in-laws (or loves), Bonnie and Steve. May we all see the unconditional love in Him as you have shown me, us. I could NEVER repay you for everything. I will make sure your retirement home is THE BEST there is out there. 😍
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| Hamm Family | Dec. 2017 | Pic Cred: Mary Mason, Mary Mason Photography |
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| LON17 Cohort with Coaches | Pic Cred Mark Wagner |
Finally, to my God. You didn't leave me behind, you reminded me you were in control, you placed the most incredible Village in place, YOU showed me you were GOD, Jehovah Jireh. Your grace is enough.
