Miracles Everywhere and Always

Photo credit: Michael & Diane Weidner

“What is a miracle if not the manifestation of light where darkness is expected?” ― Leigh Ann Henion

My fourth and final blog in the miracles series covers five extraordinary events that occurred in recent times. Each story is but one example to represent multitudes of miracles similar in nature. Only two were reported in the news, but all are testaments to the true reality. Miracles big and small occur in abundance everywhere around the world and have since the beginning of time.

On April 18, 1989, pilot Brian Udell survived an ejection from his F15 at supersonic speed. He was in combat training with Captain Dennis White. They took off from North Carolina over the Atlantic Ocean and were flying at 600 knots when wind gusts spun their plane in circles and disoriented them. They dropped from 17,000 feet to 10,000 in five seconds and made the decision to eject.

Brian’s parachute opened at less than a thousand feet. The force ripped his helmet off his head, broke all the blood vessels in his face, and dislocated his limbs. With one hand he held onto the life raft, knowing he had mere minutes to get in before he would freeze to death. He prayed and somehow pulled himself in. He waited four hours for search and rescue. Brian was told he’d never fly again, but against all odds, he recovered and went on to resume his career as a pilot.

Twins Kyrie and Brielle Jackson were born in 1995, twelve and a half weeks premature. Staff at the medical centre in Massachusetts placed them in separate incubators to reduce the risk of infection. Kyrie made progress right away, but Brielle struggled with breathing and heart problems, little weight gain, and low oxygen. A month later, her condition became critical.

When all other interventions failed to help Brielle, a nurse asked the parents for permission to place the twins in the same bed on an intuition. Right away, Kyrie snuggled up to her sister and put her arm around her. Within minutes Brielle’s symptoms began to improve. She ended up having a full recovery and in due time the twins went home with their parents.

In 1998 I had the privilege of attending a silent auction to raise funds and awareness for special education through the private school where I taught kindergarten. One of the guest speakers was a student at the school. A young boy of perhaps eight or nine, he was brought onto the stage in his wheelchair. He had a condition whereby he had no muscle control from the neck down. He couldn’t sit, stand, write, dress himself, feed himself, or talk on his own.

Until a miracle of technology and innovation allowed the boy to communicate using an integrated computer system much like what Stephen Hawking used. He conveyed his thoughts by squeezing his cheek muscles to activate an infrared switch. He scanned and selected characters on a screen to "speak" through a voice synthesizer.

Using the system, educators assessed the boy’s IQ and determined he was several levels above his grade. People had assumed he couldn’t comprehend even basic concepts when in reality he was far above his peers. His speech was inspirational to hear. It was a privilege that brought tears to my eyes as I witnessed a miracle that freed a voice previously held captive.

In 2015 I had the privilege of meeting another miracle boy, this time in person. It was soon after my marriage to Mister when I was introduced to his family at a reunion. One of his nephews has a mitochondrial disorder. He lacks muscle tone, has skeletal issues, feeding challenges, and heart conditions, to name just a few on a long list of hurdles.

When he was diagnosed as a baby, the doctors told his parents that their son only had a few years to live. They didn’t accept this proclamation. They stayed in faith, and this remarkable boy defied all odds. He learned to communicate his emotions through laughter, facial expressions, and vocalizations. Whenever we visit them, I see how his special gifts have contributed to the cohesiveness of his family. Our nephew turns twenty-one this year.

In March 2015, Lyne Grosebeck lost control of her car and crash-landed in the icy Fork River in Utah. She suffered a blunt-force trauma to the head and died instantly. Her eighteen-month-old baby girl, Lily, was in her car seat, hanging upside down, for fourteen hours. One of the first responders heard a voice yell out, “Help me.” Defying all explanation, the little girl was rescued and after only a few days in hospital, recovered completely.

These five stories are extraordinary. They show us that impossible things can happen. Yet miracles unfold in small and wondrous ways, everywhere and always. When a tree emerges in spring after appearing dead all winter. When a baby smiles for the first time. When a stranger becomes your friend. Shine your light, dear reader, into the darkness. Be a miracle maker.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I am pursuing representation from a traditional publisher for my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

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