Thirty Eight Years and counting . . .

Our anniversary this year took an interesting twist. Carey was seriously injured in a bicycle accident on the 14th putting us into an emotional roller-coaster for 24 hours. It is hard to describe the depth of concern you experience when one you love so much is very hurt. Our appeals to friends and family for prayers were sent out in a hurry. How marvelous it is that we have the ability to communicate with so many so quickly.

Initially, reports from Arizona seemed to get worse with each contact. It was a shock for me to hear Carey's voice. My strong daughter was in the midst of a real crisis and it was evident in the strain and anxiety of her voice as she tried to communicate with us. I hung up the phone and disintegrated into tears and prayer.

We made arrangements for me to fly out from Salt Lake first thing the next morning. They were preparing Carey for surgery and so I was to be there with her 24/7 in the hospital. After three hours of sleep, Claigh and I set off on the three and a half hour drive to the Salt Lake Airport. We were both pretty exhausted but felt very grateful to be able to arrange for me to head south on such short notice.

The fog that morning was dense but thankfully the roads were in excellent condition. As we approached the Malad Pass, the fog burned off, another of many blessings of that day. We were approaching the airport with just an hour until the flight was to take off when we got a call from Carey. Her voice actually had some strength in it although it was still reflective of the great ordeal she had been through. The neurosurgeon had determined that they would not have to operate after all. He felt the bone chip that had raised some concern would dissolve on its own and was not in a position to cause damage to the spinal cord. Carey would be fitted with a brace and sent home to recover. The many prayers in her behalf had been answered in a manner far exceeding our hopes.

Claigh and I turned the car around and headed north again. Since we had not yet had a chance to eat, we stopped at a Red Lobster and enjoyed some fish before we made our way to Idaho. I took a turn at the wheel while Claigh got a bit of a nap. We made it back to Idaho Falls in time to pick up Alyssa from work (five minutes late was all.) We were too tired to revive our anniversary plans for the evening and yet we were so deeply and profoundly grateful for the blessings bestowed upon Carey. I will head to Arizona mid February to help out when Ellen leaves for her trip to Seattle.

Once again I find myself in awe of the goodness of Heavenly Father and his response to the pleadings of his children. Not always are our prayers answered in the way we may hope and yet I find that through every trial I am sustained and can see the merciful hand of God. How grateful I am for the prayers of our family and many friends throughout the world. We our our Father's children and we are loved with a love far beyond our comprehension. This I know and trust.

As for 38 years - five beautiful daughters, four fantastic son-in-laws, nineteen delightful grandchildren - We are blessed!