Writing Prompt - (Miracles) and Wonder -

A young man was in a terrible roll-over accident five weeks ago. He nearly severed an arm and had head, neck, and brain injuries. As well, he wasn’t from Utah, didn’t have family near, and speaks Spanish. With the belief that his death was imminent, Palliative Care was called in. Family was found, quickly came. Our role was to explain the severity of his injuries and talk about Goals of Care for him. The parents, well-educated and employed, did not speak English. We have met with them weekly to discuss the patient’s status and ask about their concerns.

I have worked very hard to create a relationship of trust with the parents, and we have enjoyed visiting together, using my broken Spanish, their broken English, a translate app and a translator.
These very religious parents never lost their faith that their son would heal; he was intubated, sedated, a feeding tube placed, multiple surgeries and grafts on his arm. His brain injury was so traumatic that he would most likely be disabled, bed-bound, and needing fulltime care for the rest of his life.

I’m used to asking families what they hope for, what they’d like me to pray for, and these parents kept telling me they were expecting a miracle. Not hoping, but expecting, putting their full trust in God.

Miracles happened this week. The young man woke, his arm is healing, he is talking, and the family, caregivers, skeptics, optimists, have witnessed a miracle. In this career, surrounded by death, this young man is being raised from the dead and living.

This has been a blessing in my life; seeing these parent’s faith and diligence and love has warmed my heart; and I have needed that. We all need to witness and acknowledge these miracles and the dedication of parents who would not be discouraged (not only small tender mercies, but full-blown miracles). 

For no reason but my life typically attributes a song to any event. This one -