Ten years ago, William's life changed forever. We worked together, traveling Florida, setting up card departments in different grocery stores. First thing in the morning, we sat together on a bench waiting to start the day. William bought a tiny little key and lock trinket from one of those toy vending stands, and said, "Here's to our 10 month anniversary tomorrow!" He kept the lock, and I kept the key.
After our job was finished, I walked William out to the car. William worked two jobs, the other at Wal-Mart as the Pets Department Manager. One of the big things we have shared, is saying, "I love you" in sign language. William got in the car, turned around in the seat, and made the sign as he drove away...
Who would have thought that "I love you" sign would lead to two severed tendons, leaving his hand saying just that..... While the rest of the team and I had a quick lunch and headed to our hotel, William went for the worst drive of his life. He was driving on the interstate when there was a sudden downpour. A big semi got in front of William, causing his little Geo Metro to hydroplane off into the center median lined with trees. From what the only two people who stopped recollected, William's car spun around a tree that came in through the passenger's door. The only way out was through the ceiling. Seriously, after seeing the pictures, he should have lost both legs. When he was taken away, one of the helpers who stopped saw the Wal-Mart vest laying in the back all bloody. He called around, finally getting a hold of his store, who made the call to my mom (she was our boss on the card department job).
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I remember hearing my mom answer her phone, whisper something to another lady in our hotel room, then walk towards me saying we needed to go. "William's been in a bad car accident..." Instantly, I fell to the floor. Here we were eating and enjoying the rest of the day, as my boyfriend was laying at the hospital!?!? I don't know how long it took, but my mom and I FLEW up the interstate to the hospital. On the way, my Dad called... He got to William, yelling, "I want to see my son!" (Mind you, we were only dating at the time.) My Dad was able to be with him, helping in the x-ray room and trying his hardest to calm William. When we arrived, my Dad met us, saying they thought he might lose his hand. Walking up to him lying in the ER was sooo very scary. He had blood everywhere, small pieces of glass and blue shards of metal in his arm, cut on his forehead, and of course the look of fear. Here he was, having just moved to Florida with me four months prior, with no family members. That night, he stayed for observation, and was let go the next day. William had bad bruising to his right hip and upper thigh, and worst of all, he severed two tendons in his hand. The same two tendons that allow your middle and ring fingers to move... One of the first things he did once at my parents' place was the call to his mom.
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Only a few items were salvageable from his car... a few stuffed animals, car equipment, and yes, the little lock... it never again opened after that accident. William kept saying, "You'll always have the key to my heart."
After having surgery to repair the tendons, William underwent tons of therapy. I remember sitting watching him wince in pain every day, pushing through the crazy exercises he needed to accomplish. He kept saying, "I don't want to lose the use of my hand. What about when we have kids?"
William kept pulling tiny pieces of blue metal from his wounds up until about a year from the accident. There are two spots on his hand that are still to this day numb. When he lifts the two fingers, you can feel the tendons popping. The scars have healed very nicely...
The idea of losing my then boyfriend, now husband and love of my life, is so scary. I'm thankful to my parents, who helped so much! I'm thankful my husband has his arm and hand. I'm thankful he is still here today... to watch and play with our children, enjoying life.
After 10 years, the last memory William has prior to waking up in the ER is turning around in the car to sign "I love you"..........
Dannen was a wiggle worm, so he became my little clown=p
Kaylie couldn't stop smiling!
Makenzie surprisingly rode without getting nervous!
It's blurry, but this was Dannen the ENTIRE trip... he LOVED the pony so much, trying to take him off was cRaZy!
~*~FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS... HOPE YOU HAVE A FUN & SAFE HALLOWEEN~*~
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