Abby update - November 12

Gordon, Frank and I arrived back in San Antonio a couple hours ago after a wonderful day in Wimberley. We were privileged to be a part of the Taylor and Abby Benefit, or, using the reference we prefer, we were privileged to be a part of what some named "Miracle Sunday." We feel as if we have been hugged by a whole community and beyond. For those of you who were not able to attend, and for those of you who don't know the wonderful blessing of being a part of a small town, it was a day of hope and encouragement and celebration. The new facilities at the Wimberley Community Center hosted a delicious barbecue put on by the 4-H club; an outdoor DJ and games area for younger kids (which eventually expanded to include a volleyball game over the yellow blockade ribbon!); a silent auction, live auction, and raffle that included such prizes as a sailboat, Southwest Airlines tickets, Lasik surgery, a helicopter ride over Wimberley, a week in a time-share, a very special buttermilk pie, a softball signed by the UT girls softball team and Olympian Cat Osterman, and dozens (or hundreds?) of other special items; and an awesome music program that included Suzuki violin students, the Texas Renegades, Sarah Jarosz, the Texas Parks and Wildlife All-Star Band, Andrea Oldmixon, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. It is truly a miracle beyond comprehension that so many people longed to reach out to us, Abby, and the Schaedes, and came together on this day. It is so evident that hearts are being touched and miracles are being worked in every step of this journey we must take. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this very special day.

In truth, this journey is full of miracles--as we think back over what God has brought us through, it's so evident. First, the original accident did not more severely injure either of the two girls--both escaped damage to other internal organs. Second, help was immediately on the scene and, thanks to Wimberley EMS and Star Flight, Abby and Taylor were at a Level One trauma hospital within 40 minutes of the accident. Third, Abby survived that initial threatening period of brain swelling. Fourth, despite initial slowness to arouse, Abby woke up. Fifth, Abby's basic life support functions, like breathing and swallowing are intact. Sixth, despite difficulties in her abilities to respond at this time, Abby understands us and can smile and laugh appropriately... I know I could list more, but that's six miracles in less than six weeks. Thank you God.

And actually, I have one more small, but very, very, very special miracle to report. It was so difficult for both me and Gordon to be away from Abby today; however, we knew she was in good hands with my Mom and the nurses here (of course, the very long and detailed list of guidelines and suggestions I just happened to write out helped me feel better also...), and we knew in our hearts that we needed to be with our friends in Wimberley. All the same, we were hurrying back to Warm Springs at the end of the day to make sure that we had some time with Abby before she went to sleep. Boy, were we glad we made it. After telling Abby about the big day, reading all the notes in her notebook and a couple of chapters in her book, we said evening prayers and kissed Abby and Frank good night. And then, as we each placed our cheeks near her mouth, she, for the first time in nearly six long weeks, kissed each of us goodnight! It is truly a miracle Sunday, and God knew just what miracle we needed most...

With big smiles on our faces and in our hearts,
Gordon & Lee Ann, parents of two very special blessings