Alive Day

Have you ever experienced an event and you know you need to write/blog about it, but you aren't sure where to start? I feel a little like that. Yesterday was Alive Day for my friend Andrew. Alive Day is the anniversary of an injury; it is called that so one can remember all that he/she has left, not what he/she has lost. On October 29, 2006 Andrew was in an accident with an IED in Iraq. He lost both his legs and suffered significant abdominal injuries. I met him through my husband's discipleship group. I remember where we were a year ago when we learned that Andrew was injured: we were in my parents' garage in Nashville. We'd been in town for a wedding and Chris got a call that Andrew was seriously injured. At that point we did not know if he would make it. Information was unclear and not forthcoming. When he got to the United States he had gone into cardiac arrest 2 or 3 times. We gathered to pray and cry and hope that he would make it through this. And as I write now I wish that I had more eloquence and grace; better words to express my thoughts and feelings over this past year. My husband and I cried together. I asked God why Andrew. I prayed. I cried some more. A group of us went to DC to visit Andrew after Christmas. He was out of ICU (but not by long) and we still had to wear gowns and gloves to go in his room. His spirit was amazing. I was blown away by his attitude and the smile on his face. We brought him sweet tea from one of his favorite restaurants. We played cards and spent time together. It was a good trip. It was neat to see how good he was doing in spite of all he had lost. He was not grieving, but was thankful. We saw Andrew again in August at a discipleship reunion. He was doing even better. He was on the jet ski and swimming in the lake. He was more mobile than I was anticipating. And there was that smile. And this past Saturday Andrew came home for the first time not only since his accident, but since he left. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever experienced. The people came out in droves, and so did the motorcycles. As various people spoke I cried and was overwhelmed by it all. The next day Andrew spoke at church. He talked about two things that have gotten him through this experience: prayer and discipline. He brought tears to many eyes. And the next day in class my professor spoke abuot what Andrew had said. He even admitted that he was brought to tears. Andrew has touched so many lives and he does not even realize the extent of it. He is just a 24 year old man living life with what he has. And maybe that is what is so amazing about it.