Mom has been preparing for her trip to Dallas for weeks. Each time she called to talk about the menu for Christmas Eve or the big meal on Christmas Day, I could always hear the excitement in her voice. It wasn't about the food, it was about the secret gift that she has been working on for months. The gift that she had spent many hours on and even shed a few tears over. The gift that she would present Barry with on Christmas Eve. There were many calls and several emails between us girls ( Mom, Christy, Jill, Kellie and I) about who would make what, where we would spend each day and what games and activities we would do.
Mom and Chris were scheduled to arrive around 1:00pm on Thursday, December 23rd. We were so excited that they were arriving a day early before the holidays. I had talked to Mom the day before and she told me that they were staying in Rotan on Wednesday evening and would head our way on Thursday morning. Lexi and I had an 11:00am appointment on Thursday morning and Barry and Brant awaited their arrival.
I received a call about 11:30am from Dennis (Barry's brother). Lexi and I were finishing up at our appointment so I was unable to answer the call. As were walking out to our car about fifteen minutes later, Dennis called again. I couldn't get to my phone quick enough to answer. When I was inside my car, I quickly checked my phone. Dennis had left me a message and I could tell by his voice that something was wrong.
I called him immediately and he hesitantly told me that Mom and Chris had been in an accident on the highway and that it was serious. Chris had been airlifted via helicopter to a hospital in Abilene and Mom was being taken there via ambulance. He said that he had talked to Mom and that she was very shaken up. Her first concern was about the Gift and the food. My heart dropped as I listened, wondering how I was going to tell Barry without upsetting him. Dennis was heading to Abilene as we talked and promised to call me as soon as he knew anything more.
As we drove home, I explained to Lexi what Dennis had shared with me. After we pulled up in the driveway, she and I joined hands and prayed for Mom and Chris. I shared the news with Barry as delicately as I could. Barry, the children and I immediately said a prayer for both of them.
It was a difficult day of waiting. Vada was bruised and experiencing pain in the area where the seatbelt had held her tightly. Chris was being very closely monitored because he had lost conscience as a result of the accident and was experiencing some other side effects that caused concern.
Dennis stayed with them through the night. Mom was experiencing increased pain on Friday morning and received further examination. Thank God that nothing serious was uncovered. The pain was a result of the bruising and extreme jarring that she experienced during the accident. Their SUV had apparently flipped a few times after the impact.
We were all praying that we would have them home for Christmas Eve. No luck. The physicians decided that it would be best to keep Chris for another day. Although the family gathered at our home on Christmas Eve, there was an overwhelming feeling of sadness and concern had by all without Mom and Chris there.
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