Okay, I'll admit it. Writing this post scared the crap out of me. It's one thing to write for your own blog. You've set the standard, so it's pretty tough not to meet it. And if you blow it - no big deal.
But when you get the keys to a friend's blog, it's different. You find yourself writing like a little old lady drives, both hands squeezing each word so tightly they don't stand a chance. This was not going to work. I had to shake this off.
Like an athlete about to go for gold, I stood up and stretched. I rolled my neck. Shrugged my shoulders a few times. I could almost here the theme song from Rocky.
Nope, that wasn't going to work either.
And then I got it. This has nothing to do with me. How many times have I said that to my clients? I'd forgotten my own lesson.
Gavin has invited me here to mark his milestone. His 1,000th comment. So the story should be one he'd enjoy hearing. And sharing with his readers. I'm just the storyteller.
So sit back and let me tell you a story about courage. About re-birth. About resurrection.
Gavin's father-in-law, Noel Davies was in a serious accident two days before Christmas. He was struck by a car while out biking with his friends.
Internal bleeding, broken leg, fractured pelvis, a punctured lung. Critical condition. ICU. Blood transfusions. Medically induced coma. Surgery. Respirator Neck brace. Skin grafts. Infections.
But he's alive.
Merry Christmas.
Fast forward to the New Year. Do any of us really believe in coincidences? On this first day of a new year, Noel gives the first signal of his own new beginning. He opens his eyes.
Happy New Year.
The incredibly slow road to recovery begins. The morphine and other drugs keep Noel fading in and out of consciousness. When he can finally whisper, he asks for a Coke. Not yet. He can't move, sit up, and even the whisper comes with a hefty price. The pain is excruciating.
More surgeries. More internal injuries discovered. Slowly beginning the simplest of exercises. Lift an arm. Sheer exhaustion.
When you endure an accident like Noel's you expect the physical pain. But no one tells you what being brought to you knees does to your spirit. Your heart. No one tells you about the nightmares. The depression. The fears that sneak up on you in the dark.
Recovery is as much about beating back those demons as it is about doing your exercises or following doctor's orders. It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle. On both fronts.
Noel shows his spirit by pushing. At least one more exercise than required. Every time.
The end of February. Another month of surgeries, pain, ups and downs. Visitors boost his soul and his desire to get home for Easter. The doctors tell him no. It's too soon.
He has to be able to stand for 30 minutes before they'll release him. It must seem so far away. He hasn't even sat up yet.
It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle.
March 1 - Noel isn't really moving much other than shifting in bed.
March 12 - Noel begins to sit up after three months of lying down.
March 19 - Noel walks for two meters and takes his first wheelchair ride.
March 28 - Noel walks 20 meters on crutches.
April 2 - Noel went up two flights of stairs on crutches.
Remarkable. 30 days.
Suddenly, it does not seem so far away.
April 4 - Noel leaves the hospital for home.
It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle.
Happy Spring. Happy Easter. Happy New Beginning.
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Gavin - happy 1000th comment. Thanks for lending me the keys to your blog. Once I got out of my own way, it was easy. I just let the story tell itself.
Drew
Drew,
What a great way to honor Gavin's 1000th comment. We were shaken by the announcement of Noel's accident. And I think it is good to remember the incredible distance between then... and now. Noel's fantastic, courageous recovery is a lesson to us all. This is not happening "behind" our blogs or the bloggosphere. On the contrary, it stands "in front"... on the front line of LIFE.
In my mind Noel is a very special person and so is Gavin. They are both examples of the positive spirit men carry in their hearts. I often recall Noel's name. In french it means Christmas. In a way, Christmas is spirit. By choosing this delicate story about LIFE for your post on Gavin's blog, you fed this positive spirit. And I want to thank you for that.
Noel if you read this : I am really, really looking forward to meeting you one day.
Gavin, your 1000th comment designated the perfect guest. I believe in "signs" and think you really deserved it. Congratulations again... : )
Kindest Regards.
Luc.
Posted by: mindblob | 06 April 2007 at 05:14 PM
Drew,
You did an amazing job, and I'm sure that Gavin would trust you with the keys to his blog any day! :-)
What an inspiring story, and it's good to get the update on Noel's recovery. It's so appropriate that this is Easter weekend. Rebirth all around.
Happy Easter to all of you!
Cheers,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | 07 April 2007 at 01:17 AM
Drew --- I don't know your blog, but I was very moved by your touching post about Noel's progress. How amazing and inspiring! You chronicle it quite well.
Noel is a truly remarkable human being. And I'm off to check out your blog!
Posted by: KG | 07 April 2007 at 03:47 PM
Nice job Drew. I hadn't yet started blogging when Noel had the accident, but I was already a regular reader of several blogs at that time, so I heard about it. I was amazed at the outpouring of support that came from everywhere. Now I know it's just how bloggers are -- a sharing and caring community.
Posted by: David Reich | 08 April 2007 at 03:10 AM
Apologies to everyone for my tardy response:
Luc -- you are so right. Noel and Gavin are men of heart and spirit. Noel's story is such a wonderful reminder to us all about the power of the soul. It was an honor to tell a bit of his story.
Sharon -- You're exactly right of course. It was a perfect story for Easter weekend. It didn't realy dawn on me until I was in the midst of writing it. Then, I knew I was on the right track!
KG -- Nice to meet you via Gavin. The story was the inspiration ...I just let it flow.
David -- Thanks. You're right. The community is a very caring and supportive place. We're seeing that now with the memorial for CK's mom. I'm proud to be a part of it all.
Drew
Posted by: Drew McLellan | 11 April 2007 at 08:12 AM
There's irony that I'm now seeing this post 'after the fact'...Loooooooooooong after you two have made a difference in so many lives already. Again, appreciate your efforts, community, dilligence and spirited, positive warmth. 1000 comments. Wow.
Posted by: Shaping Youth | 13 September 2007 at 12:04 PM
There's irony that I'm now seeing this post 'after the fact'...Loooooooooooong after you two have made a difference in so many lives already. Again, appreciate your efforts, community, dilligence and spirited, positive warmth. 1000 comments. Wow.
Posted by: Shaping Youth | 13 September 2007 at 12:04 PM
There's irony that I'm now seeing this post 'after the fact'...Loooooooooooong after you two have made a difference in so many lives already. Again, appreciate your efforts, community, dilligence and spirited, positive warmth. 1000 comments. Wow.
Posted by: Shaping Youth | 13 September 2007 at 12:05 PM
There's irony that I'm now seeing this post 'after the fact'...Loooooooooooong after you two have made a difference in so many lives already. Again, appreciate your efforts, community, dilligence and spirited, positive warmth. 1000 comments. Wow.
Posted by: Shaping Youth | 13 September 2007 at 12:05 PM