I was just thinking back at the wonderful things that God has done and the people that were a part of this first two weeks.

Nina’s mom and Dad who were there standing side by side with all of us, believing God for great miracles. They were such an encouragement and gave so much love and support. I am so thankful they are part of our family.
I wondered who was there right at the start…. If there was someone who went to him right away…The police, emergency crews tow truck drivers, even the kind man who was holding the traffic sing the next day when we went to the scene.. he asked if we knew anything about the young fellow in the SUV he said they were all so concerned abut him and how he was doing… I am crying thinking of how many people who didn’t even know us who cared. I would so like to thank them and give them a hug of thanks. My heart cannot express with words what I am feeling….over and over we experienced such kindness.

The ambulance people who were first to be with Chris. How hard it must have been for them. They were not able to do what was needed for Christopher and had to bring in another ambulance from Kamloops.  How grateful I am for them being there with him and what ever they were doing to keep him alive until the special ambulance arrived from Kamloops (?)At least that is how I think I heard it.. That waiting time must have seemed like an eternity.   How I wish I could give them hugs and say thank you to them.  My heart and mind goes to them with overwhelming thought of thanks for what they did for our son, (brother, husband, and friend)  I have tears running down my face as I think about this.  They were there when we could not be. God bless them.
I think of those that worked on the “jaws of life” that cut him out of his Pathfinder, How thankful I am for them too. ( I am crying again and can hardly see the keys to type.) God bless them.

I am now thinking of the special team that transported him to Kamloops. They were with him for the long journey in.
Again being there when we could not even if we were close. How my heart sends love and thanks their way.

The lady who was in emergency admitting when she got the call. She told us she started praying right away and ended up praying for Chris all night. Even after she went home.  I looked for her the day we were leaving to say thank you and never saw her. God bless her. She was praying before we even knew we needed to. She was there taking phone calls and doing what ever it was her job was to help everything be ready when Chris arrived. ( As I sit here thinking just how many people were part of getting Chris through those first few hours…  it is over whelming…..to each one I would like to hug and say thanks.
Then I think of the nurses, doctors and surgeons who were there ready to do what ever they could and maybe more. My heart overflows with love and thanks to them. I remember thinking I wonder if they are sacrificing their own time or family time to do what is needed doing?  I especially remember thinking that one time when we were wishing more could be done faster. Again more tears of thanks and love as I think of their gifts and training that put them where we needed them in our time of crisis.
I think of the awful job the police lady had  that came to tell us. What a terrible job to be the one who has to tell the family….. knowing as you wake the family at 2:30-3:00 am  and tell them to leave immediately, probably they won’t even make it while their husband and son is still alive She did so well. My thanks go out to her what a tough job. She called us later just to be sure we were okay and to apologize if she was too hash. She wanted to know if we made it in time. She did what was needed to get us rolling in less than 10 minutes. She deserves a hug and a well done.

The Chaplin, Victor was an amazing man who knew where to be and when to be there. A gentle reassuring strength came just with him being there. He was ready to help wherever he could. He truly showed the love of Jesus. He was there as we were leaving. He told us he had called a special prayer meeting of all the pastors in town to come to the pray chapel in the hospital and pray. They were going to pray for Chris. He said even though we were leaving and it was for the next day.. they would still pray.. there is no distance with God.  What a precious man…May God bless him… He really has a gift from God to help and encourage those who are in trouble. I pray God will strengthen him and pour upon him an overflowing river of love because He will just give it away  anyway.   Victor really is God’s gift of love in action.
The nurses were so kind and caring both to Christopher and with the family. I would like to name them all and think I could except I might miss one or two I see their faces but cannot remember the names. They were so wiling to answer all the question we had and kept us informed with everything they could. They were so patient with our large family. Each time I left the ICU I felt—-“ their hands are doing the things I cannot do myself for my son” but I saw in their eyes and in their touch the love I would have given him. It was so reassuring.  I will just   say we knew Chris was in loving caring well-trained hands. How my heart flows with gratitude, not to mention the tears of love that are flowing too.
It seemed in an instant that things changed and he was being prepared to go to Vancouver….Patti and I went through the hospital and felt the urge to tell total strangers….. “They are sending our son/brother to Vancouver, tonight” He was next in line to go unless something more serious came up before they were on their way. ( I remember thinking as I was jumping and skipping around about when Jesus told people he had healed to go do ‘what ever’  and tell no one….how hard that would have been  I think we felt some of what they had felt…)

Then the team on the Air ambulance that brought Chris to Vancouver.  I wept with love and thanks as they packed him up and with tenderness and gentle assurance told us we could accompany them right to the ambulance as they prepared to take him to the airport for transport.  They stopped just before putting him in the ambulance and told us we could kiss him.. when I did he opened his eyes. We felt such peace as he headed to Vancouver.  How precious they were to us. How can I say thanks…..
Then lastly.. but really it is only another beginning… Sherry… she was there long beyond her shift to welcome him when he arrived here in VGH. She has been so wonderful and helpful… we cannot say enough to thank her… again floods of love and tears of thanksgiving. 

And most of all….Nina, what a wonderful woman she  is. What strength and faith she has had through this time of crisis. I cannot even begin to imagine what she has been going  through. I am so glad she is there for Chris. She is truly the helpmeet created by God for Christopher.  She has been so patient with me (her husband’s mother) and so considerate at this time of crisis and change both in her life and Chris’. My heart is filled with love and thanksgiving to God for her. I pray for Nina that He will continue to flow sweet peace, refreshing, strength and healing over her and through at this time. 
I am sure there were others too… like the  cleaning lady who listen and hugged me when I was crying and needed to talk. I pray they will know and feel our love and thanks…. They were all gifts from God to us during this time.

God bless them I pray.