One of the drivers offers go to the house beside the road and ask if we can stay there while waiting for a ride—and did. Another passenger offers to make sure with his concealed carry handgun that the doe is completely out of her misery—and did. A family who doesn’t know us, welcomes my sons and I into their home—with overwhelming care and hospitality. In ways I could have never expected, I found myself last night giving thanks. So many people were present in our great time of need. Thanks be to God for protecting my sons and I. Thanks to Randy Romain and his friend for assisting us and taking care of the deer. Thanks to the other car that stopped and offered help. Thanks to the Zobel family for your exceeding kindness and welcoming us into your home. Thank you to my wife, Brandy, for jetting from work in Omaha to come pick us up. Thank you to the many family and friends who contacted me to make sure we were alright, and offering help. Thank you to a couple parishioners, Brandon and Jake, who retrieved my car this morning and are assessing the damage to hopefully be repaired.
In my most vulnerable moment last night, I was reminded that I have so many and so much in my life for which to give thanks. Perhaps it’s in the worst, most darkest times we have the greatest opportunities to see most clearly the many blessings all around us for which to give thanks and praise. All those who came to our aid—physically and emotionally—last night were Jesus Christ for me and my boys. It was truly a work of the Holy Spirit for them all to be present and available for us—reaching out, loving, caring, and supporting us. As I try to come down from this adrenaline roller coaster and begin figuring out what now, I am thankful. It’s not the way I would have wished to come to this, but nonetheless: Thank you all.