How May 20, 2017 changed our lives...

In an instant, we were shown how an accident can be so costly.

We were reminded how our lives on earth can be cut short so unexpectedly.

We were shown, no matter how good of a life you THINK you're living...you are not exempt from unimaginable, breathtaking, heartache and pain.

May 20, 2017 was the day my brother Jason was thrown off his dirt bike into a tree, without a helmet, suffering severe brain injury.

On the positive side...

This day has taught us the meaning of praying sincerely. When you tell someone you're going to pray, you should mean it. You should bow to your knees and add them to your prayer list because they are banking on it. We're all guilty of saying "I'm praying" and life gets in the way and you forget to literally speak that name and that request to God. From this point forward, I vow to pray when I say I'm going to pray.

Pray with intention and persistence. That is my reminder.

This day has taught us how much the presence of family means. It's so easy to operate in silos when things are going well and get together 'when you can.' But the reality of what we've learned is you don't know when you have 'more time' so why not take advantage of the time you have? I'm so grateful for everyone who made the effort to get together at mom and dad's, including Jason and his family, just two weeks before the accident.

Make time for family, just like you do for your friends and other activities. That is my reminder.

This day has taught us we don't know our family as well as we think we do. And for shame. I vow to ask more questions of Jason when he wakes. I vow to learn more about my parents as we are leaning on each other and hoping against hope our immediate family is restored to a family of 4. We also pray fiercely that Jason is returned to Hunter and Christy fully restored in mind, body and spirit; that is my primary prayer request.

Live selflessly and not selfishly. Inquire about others more often. That is my reminder.

This day has taught me to live more in the present. Appreciate the really small things. In Jason's recovery, you can't allow yourself to fast forward or think 'what if.' Your mind, to protect your heart, has to stay exactly where he is each day. And when I think about the stress of raising my toddlers, it's HARD to stay in that moment at times. But when I think about how LITERALLY my mom would go back to that moment right now, raising me and Jason...a time machine of sorts, I'm reminded to live more presently.

Don't try to escape the present or project the future. Live in and for each moment...as it's the moments that build the lifetime.

It's been two weeks since the accident. We're seeing God's work in Jason and through ALL the people in our lives who are showing support in so MANY different ways and praying.

"The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow."

Thank you all for your prayers.