I had some bad news last month and it has taken me a log time to come to grips with it. The 17 y/o son of one of my cousins was injured in a snowmobile accident and is paralyzed from the waist down. What a blow for this young man and his family. But, you wouldn’t believe how well they seem to be adjusting to this tragedy!
I do not think I have ever met Clay; or his father. Dad is probably 25 years younger than I am and lives in Minnesota, a State I left before he was born. I was always fond of his mother, my dad’s sister. She was the youngest, or the second to the youngest, in a family of 10, and knows first hand what hard work is all about. She had 7 sons and 2 daughters. I don’t have any idea how many grandchildren. But, back to Clay. He celebrated his 17 birthday the week after his accident. What a celebration it must have been. They celebrated the fact that he was still alive, and thanked God for his life! They have such faith, it makes me feel like I have none at all!
His mom has been very good with her daily posts on Caring Bridge, always maintaining her positive attitude and his reflection of it. After the accident in Minnesota he was transferred to a Spinal Rehab hospital in Denver. I can’t believe all the things he has learned there. Three weeks after the injury he was playing basketball and other competitive sports from his chair.
I do not know what the future holds for this fine young man, but I do know that if he keeps up his positive attitude and his work ethic, he will be a great success. We can now and always will be able to look up to him as a role model. Please say a prayer for him and his family.