This is a post I've been putting off writing but I'm not sure why! There is so much to celebrate! I posted the picture at the left way back in June. Seeing it again still gives me the chills and makes me slightly nauseous. My life-long friend is still trapped in that plane, being burned alive. Although she was eventually pulled from the plane I wasn't sure she would survive. Seeing this picture, I wasn't sure how ANYONE could! But SHE DID! In fact, as I write this today, she has been released from the hospital and is now participating in out-patient rehab (along with her husband and surviving son, Hudson) at an army medical center in San Antonio. She has been making regular (often funny) status updates on Facebook about her progress. Yesterday she wrote: Tried on my first set of legs and feet and walked 15 feet. Minor adjustments to be made and back on again Friday. Only make feet in whole sizes so now I have size 7 so all my 7 1/2 shoes will still work. A little like walking on heavy stilts. AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING!! I am SO proud of Stacie! Not only did she survive, she is managing to do it with her infamous spunk and determination! She has faced so much adversity and heartache yet she has so much HOPE! She is my HERO!
In July I flew to Portland to visit Stacie, Preston and Hudson in the burn unit. What a trip! Try boarding a plane when you are off to see plane crash victims! My visit with Stacie was one of the most difficult things I have done. That day wasn't a good day for Stacie (though while there I wasn't aware it was a "bad day"). Before I left for the airport for my return flight, I sat next to my sleeping friend and said my goodbyes to her. My final goodbyes. I didn't think there was ANY way she was going to survive. Knowing that three other friends were flying to see her the next day, I called to prepare them. While refusing to discouraging them from visiting her, I wanted them to be prepared to see what I had seen. Again, seeing her in that state was beyond heartbreaking (especially since she was having such a struggle that day). However, two days later, Stacie was feeling MUCH better! She had a wonderful visit with the other girls! They laughed and cried together and I breathed a sigh of relief that they hadn't seen what I had seen. While devastated by the condition of Stacie that day, I decided to celebrate all she had left. I spent most of my time playing with little Hudson! And I quickly fell in LOVE with him!
We spent time outside watching the construction workers build the new hospital and playing with the fire truck I brought for him. He laughed and smiled and somehow seemed like a regular little boy despite all of his IVs and bandages. He was a bright shining light amid the darkness and devastation of the situation. Hudson made my whole trip worthwhile! It was a hard day but he gave me such hope! There is so much spark in that determined little smile!
Sitting bedside with Stacie, saying goodbyes that weren't necessary!
She has come SO FAR since that day!
Taxi ride from the airport in rush hour traffic! Scary!
A group of us (all lifelong friends) met for dinner one night shortly after Stacie's accident. We took this picture and sent it to her (along with some fun old pictures). In turn, each of us ended up in Portland to visit with her too!
I was able to contact the newspaper in Anchorage and obtain this photo. I presented Stacie and her family a print when I flew over. This is the man that ultimately pulled Stacie from the plane! If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be alive today. What a brave, persistent, self-sacrificing man. The absolute definition of HERO!