“Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.” – Joan Didion

***

In my job as a court reporter, I usually see people on their worst day. A bad custody case. A messy divorce. A family dispute over money. A person being sentenced to prison because they made the bad decision to drive intoxicated one too many times.

Not as often but still more than I can count, I hear the rape case or murder case.

But then there are the cases that catch me a bit by surprise, grab me by the heart and don’t let go.

A case where something really bad just ended up happening. Through no fault of anyone, no crime having been committed. A person’s whole existence forever altered. Family and friends among the casualties.

A 57-year-old man, active, healthy, successful at his business, happily married with an adult son (probably with grandkids), on the brink of retirement, someone who did quite well for himself with investments and building a wonderful life, went out to shovel his driveway this past December (something every one of us has had to do multiple times this winter), and fell on the ice, hitting his head hard, rendering him immediately and completely incapacitated.

In an instant, life is forever changed in that simple, ordinary task of shoveling his driveway.

He has not been alert or oriented since his fall. He cannot interact in a meaningful way.

He just exists. Period.

With no power of attorney, no healthcare proxy.

Today, his wife successfully petitioned the Court for guardianship over his person and property. Instead of planning dinners, family outings, holiday gatherings, weekend trips or retirement life, she is now working with doctors to plan for his continued existence in a rehabilitation and traumatic brain injury center.

It’s been four short months but the longest days of her life. She is clinging to the possibility that he may wake up one day and be himself again. Because right now, the only other thing that exists besides his incapacitated body is hope.

***

Mike was a bit hard on himself after the wedding. He made comments like “I could have said my vows better, I could have walked better, I could have danced better.”

I reminded him how far he’s come. And I will keep reminding him. Especially after a day like today.

We certainly don’t corner the market on tragic stories. There are plenty to go around. But some hit closer to home than others.

Mike learned a couple weeks ago that one of his business contacts had a stroke right as he was about to retire and it killed him instantly.

One of my friends worked with a woman who had a stroke last year and it is likely she will never leave the nursing home she is in.

Mike knows he’s been blessed with the ability to recover and to “get better” as he likes to say.

Our wedding day was a celebration of so many things, not the least of which was the chance Mike’s been given to meaningfully participate in his own existence.

***

If you are so inclined, please say this prayer with me for Donald:

Dear God, we know you are the Great Healer, that all things are possible with You. Please put Your Loving Arms around this family, Your Hand on Donald specifically. Please heal his brain and allow him to wake up.

Please comfort Belinda as she navigates this new existence with her husband, and strengthen their son, Steven, to be there as a steady presence for his mom as they go forward in this very emotional and scary time. Please comfort them as they grieve the loss of a man who is still present in body. And in Your Great Glory, please grant Donald the ability to enjoy the ordinary moments of life again.

In Your Name, we pray.

Amen.