The Accident

Ok. Wow, where to start. My parents got divorced back in January of 2004, I can remember the day perfectly because it was the happiest day of my life. Sounds crazy right?! How many kids are excited about their parents splitting up? Dad had decided to leave and move back to his hometown in Texas and Mom stayed in Michigan with my brother and I. I wouldn't say I had a horrible childhood, there are millions of people who I'm sure have had worse.
I did however grow up with an alcoholic father that dealt with many issues that accompany 20 years of military service. I, wasn't to speak unless spoken to, answer only with a yes ma'am and no sir, and to act out of line at any time in front of my father was truly a death wish. So, as you can now understand, I was very happy to finally have this man out of my life. After he left, my brother kept in contact whereas I acted like he no longer existed. I can remember so many people telling me "but he's your father." I would just ignore them and complain, they just don't understand. Sober dad was super dad, so to everyone he knew he was the coolest outgoing high spirited man any person would want as their friend. Even me.

I don't remember the day exactly, it all seems like a big blur now. It was pretty early in the morning and Big D was getting out of bed to go to the bathroom. I told him to be extra quiet because I had just gotten little L to sleep, he then let me know my mom had called my phone during the night. I wasn't really worried for some reason, but figured it might be important so I called her back. When she answered I knew something was wrong, she had that shaky quiver in her voice like she'd been crying for hours. Once I asked her what’s wrong she began apologizing and proceeded to tell me that my dad had been in an accident and they don't think he's going to make it. Tears instantly began to stream down my face. I felt so guilty for not talking to him for so many years, and not telling him about his new grandson. I ran downstairs and told Big D what happened, my mom made a few phone calls and a few hours later I was at my mother in laws ordering plane tickets for me, my mom, and my brother. Little L would also be going because I was still nursing and we couldn't afford for Big D to take time off work to stay home with him.
We finally got the details about what happened. He had crossed two lanes and waited in the center turn lane before crossing the next two when a large explorer type vehicle hit him going around 45mph. When the ambulance picked him up they pronounced him DOA. Somewhere between the accident and the ride to the hospital a miracle revived him. His wallet was missing and he was so beat up from the accident that they couldn't identify him. Apparently he worked at this hospital previously and a woman who saw him identified him right away. This I feel was what saved his life! They were able to label him a veteran and he was flown to one of the most prestigious military hospitals in the world, Brooke Army Medical Center.
They stabilized him and kept us updated on everything that was going on until we could get there. We stayed in Texas for almost two weeks, one day it would seem like everything was fine and then the next the doctors would tell us something new that was wrong. He had fractured his C1-C2 level (the top two vertebrae of his neck/spine). Among many other injuries, broken leg, teeth in his lungs! The doctors said they’ve only had one other patient walk away from this type of an injury.

Long story short-- he made it through and is now off the vent, moving limbs, and is accomplishing more miracles every day. He says over and over again how crazy an accident as bad as this was actually a blessing. To have us all back in his life and to be given a second chance is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. He is sober and "happier than ever." Little L, Big D, and I went to visit him a few months ago in Texas at his physical therapy hospital for a week. He is surely a changed man and we were very excited when he asked to come back and live in Michigan. He will arrive tomorrow, moving in with my brother and his girlfriend. I am of course a little nervous, yet excited and happy that Little L gets to have his Papa in his life!