Sometimes We Are Broken

I started the day out packing up a few more things in the basement and in the pantry just trying to get ready to move. I am not exactly sure when I am going to move. It is going to be a challenge but we will manage it. Anyway, I heard the phone and went to get it. I just missed the call from Jim so I called him right back. Turns out it was Clayton on the other end of the line and he told me that Jim had been in a serious accident and was on his way to the ER in Cedar. It turns out that it was a bike accident at scout camp. I could hear Jim coaching Clayton in the background so I knew he wasn't dead but was unclear of the severity of the situation. I called and left a message with Amy for dad to be aware of the situation and that we would be going over to the ER. I thought Clo was up in town so called Jay and found out she wasn't. I was able to reach her at home and relayed the message. She took it in stride but sounded a little nervous towards the end of the call. I assured her that all would be fine. When I got to the shop I found out a little more as Clayton had talked to pops and they thought it was a separated shoulder and a couple of broken fingers. I was able to catch Clo before they left and update her quickly. I think it eased her mind a bit and she was fine. That can be a long drive, even longer when you know your spouse is hurt but don't know what is going on. Timing just happened to work out well for me to catch her at home still.

We cruised on over to the ER and beat them there. After a while I saw Jim's car pulling in following behind a Ford truck. Jim was in the passenger seat. He was looking pretty beat up. Along with the shoulder and the fingers his face took a bit of a beating. I have to say in all seriousness, there were times when I as the little brother wanted to inflict that kind of facial damage on him. Happy to say those days are way behind me - I mean more then half of my lifetime behind me. Today I just felt for my brother. Having just hurt my shoulder on New Years Eve I know what that kind of pain feels like. I was hoping for him the broken fingers would be on the same arm. Twas not so. It is hard enough to manage with one arm in a sling. He is having to go with one arm immobilized and the other wrapped up with the strong possibility of surgery being required. Oh man, that is not fun.

Here is a pic of the man while sitting at the ER waiting to go back:



Hey you, you with the face... Reminds us all of the time Mike turfed it on the loose pea gravel road in Carson. Jim is not nearly as bad but man, going face first across the ground cannot be much fun.

He finally made his way back and after a while the receptionist told us he needed a fresh shirt out of the car. Pops took that back to the LBH so Clayton and I took a road trip. We got a shirt and headed back only to find out he also needed his garment top. We made another quick road trip. Clayton was able to visit with him for a few minutes and found out the at the shoulder was not just separated but actually broken at the ball of the bone - the humorous. He also broke two fingers but not on visible finger. No this break was in the hand and will likely require surgery. Wow, I count my blessings that my little accident was nowhere near this intense. Anyhow, we were able to collect him from the ER and headed over to the LBH. Here is a pic of Jim enjoying, well, trying to enjoy a lemonade. It was hard to manage that straw. Man O Man, that just does not look like any fun at all yet Jim has kept in fairly good spirits throughout.



As you can clearly see Jim took on Brianhead and Brianhead won. It is going to be a bit of a rough time in recovery. Sorry for this in your life brother. I will be certain to add your name when I visit the Temple. Clorinda, head nurse of the household, I will add your name as well and know that you have our deepest sympathy every time you hear the words "Honey, please wipe my bum". Jim, I feel for you here as well. I don't think I would ever want to have to utter those words myself.

In life there are times when we are broken. In fact all of us are broken in terms of the atonement. As much as we may want to make it on our own all the time we are helpless without the Savior. We are taught that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ. It is only in and through Him that we can and will be saved. It is his gift of the life and his resurrection that make possible our overcoming physical death. It is his suffering in the Garden and taking on himself our sins that makes it possible for us to overcome Spiritual Death. He is the way, the only way for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know that this is true. I also know that the Savior is not limited in his ability to heal us and to lift us up. During the moments of greatest turmoil in our lives He does not leave us comfortless. As we press forward believing in him we will be strengthened. So those times when trials and afflictions are very present in our lives we need to remember that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and is aware of our needs. I love him and know that he loves me.