The Long Haul

Yesterday was a hard and painful day for Nicole. In her enthusiasm at being home, she spent too much time in her wheelchair the day before and woke up with pain all over her body. Except for dinner in her wheelchair, she spent the enitre day in bed. Yesterday reminded us once more of how broken Nikki's body is and how long it will be before she fully recovers. Yesterday reminded us of how much she still needs to be cared for. Yesterday reminded us that what we have been doing for Nicole since she was released from the hospital, we will be doing for a long time.

Because Nicole doesn't have any visisble injuries, her color has returned, and her voice is strong, she doesn't look as broken as she actually is. There are moments when you can forget that her release from the hospital was not a sign that she was better. Her time in the hospital wasn't a time for healing her injuries as much as it was a time for the body to recover from the physical effects of the violent trauma of the accident. Once Nikki's vital signs were where they should be and it was decided not to do surgery, she was relased to come home and heal. All this means that we have to be committed to the long haul.

We human beings tend to be able to rise to the occasion. We drop what we are doing in an emergency or crisis and run to the aid of a friend or family member. Most often we recognize the significance of the moment and we respond appropriately. But serious injury is a crisis that morphs into a lifestyle of suffering and dependence. It hit me very powerfully yesterday, that when you are near someone whose body has been broken like Nicole's, it is wonderful to rise to the occasion, but it is not enough. What is needed is perseverance. Perseverance is the willingness to stay committed, with determination and grace, to what you would not have chosen, until it is complete.

We deeply love Nikki. We are so glad that we can be by her side during this dark time. We are thankful that we can meet her physical needs and cry with her when the enormity of it all seems too much to bear. But we are also very aware, that it is not enough for us to rise to the moment. We are in it for the long haul. Pray that God will enable us to persevere and not just in activity, but in love, tenderness, and grace. Our hope is that our love for Nikki will be a daily reminder that she is never ever alone.