Blessings

Blessings

 

It has always been said to “count your blessings” especially during times of doubt.  We had no shortage of blessings during this time.  Our little community of Anderson was the biggest blessing of all. They rallied around our family to make sure we were able to meet our needs and Erik’s most of all.  With Micah out of work and needing to be home in case Erik needed him, we only had my income at the school to support us through out the winter.  There was talk of Micah looking for work, but the community decided it would be better if at least one of us were home.  Albert and Barbara were in no position to step in and take care of Erik’s needs, which were increasing each week.

Then the Anderson City Counsel had Erik come to one of their meetings, after he was made a marine, to be presented with an American flag.  Erik was so appreciated of all the support. 

The school was one of our other large support systems.  They made sure that I was able to concentrate on my duties, and would only pull me for assistance with Erik if Micah could not be reached.  Erik’s classmates would take turns pushing him around in the wheelchair.  It became a contest to see who got to do it the most.  Everyone pitched in and supported us in any way they could.

 

During this time, Lt. Colonel Lawless, the commander of the Clear Air force Station, started to attend our church regularly.  He became a good friend of our family.  He would always refer to Erik as “a little man”.  As winter approached Colonel Lawless decided that the base needed to show their support of Erik.  We were invited to visit the base during the month of December.  Erik entered the main entrance to a red carpet rolled out for him and an honor guard to greet him.  Colonel Lawless took us to a conference room and did a small slide show on the base and then we had lunch at the chow hall. After that we were taken on a tour of the base, where we ended up at the security forces building.  Erik was taken into a room where there was target practice and was given the opportunity to try.  He was also made an honorary security officer for the day.  Colonel Lawless also informed us that the flag that was flying was in Erik’s honor and would be taken down and saved for him.

It was a great time.  As our visit was coming to an end we were asked if Erik would like to participate in the Pilot for a Day program at the Eielson Air-force base in North Pole, Alaska.  We asked Erik and he was excited.  The arrangements were made.  We would be spending Christmas Eve day at Eielson.

I had called my parents to see if they could come up to Alaska for Christmas that year.  We were not for sure if it would be Erik’s last one or not.  My parents had not had the opportunity to come up for a visit yet, so I figured now was a good time.  They flew in the week of Christmas. 

We had a wonderful visit.  Then on December 23^rd, 2002 we headed to North Pole to Eielson Air-force Base.  They had us show up that afternoon and stay the night in one of the housing units on base.  My mom and dad came with us.  Once we were settled the children were surprised when Santa showed up on a fire truck to deliver candy canes to all the children staying on the base.

The next morning we met with our entourage to get ready for our tour.  It turned out to be a pretty big group.  The Marine Corp League decided they needed to be in attendance to help support their “young marine” and make sure the Air force did not try to sway him to their side.  Then we had some representatives from Clear, Sgt. Valdez and another lieutenant with her husband, who was a marine.  A comment was made that there had never been this many people in attendance for the program.

We began our tour by heading to the building where training took place for the pilots.  Erik was put into a flight simulator, which he did all right until he had to land the plane.  Erik was even taken into a dark room and had night vision goggles put on so he could see what they were like.  He was given a flight suit to wear that day, and everywhere we went the badges were ripped off and new ones were put on as a competition between the different groups.  The only badge that remained in its place was the Marine Corp one that one of our marine brothers put on him from the beginning.

After the training building we were taken to the hangers where we were able to see a Warthog and other fighter jets.  There were ladders we could go up to look inside the planes.  Erik was even taken up and sat inside one.  He was given the title of 3^rd Lieutenant, and had his name engraved on a piece of sheet metal where all the pilots signed it.  Each stop gave Erik more badges and plagues for us to carry. 

One of the pilots asked Erik if he would like to be a pilot some day.  Erik shook his head ‘yes’ and they told him he should consider the Air force then.  At that time one of the marines leaned down to inform Erik there were pilots in the marine corp too.  Micah asked what Erik thought of it all.

“Semper Fi, Dad,” was all Erik responded.

It was settled.  The Air force lost out after all the great things they showed us that day.  Erik was a Marine.

We stopped at the fire station before heading to lunch.  Natasha enjoyed this part the most.  It helped that Sparky, the firedog, was present.  They presented Erik with a helmet that was signed by all the firefighters.  Erik was thrilled with all the attention, but he was starting to get worn out.  We talked with our friend, Sgt. Valdez, who arranged all of this, and told him we should probably head home.  There were more things the Air force had planned, but Erik was exhausted.  We all had lunch at the chow hall.  Then we decided it was time to head home.  It was one of our most memorable Christmases.  We thanked everyone for taking the time out to spend with us that day. 

 

During all of this time, Erik was slowly loosing mobility in his legs and hands.  The steroid he was on, to help with the swelling of the tumor, was causing severe weight gain.  His speech was almost non-existent other than a few labored words he could get out.  Erik was starting to rely on the wheelchair more often.  He started to want to stay home from school more too.  Micah and I had to help Erik to the bathroom and we were starting to monitor him while he ate to make sure he did not choke.  It was starting to become pretty stressful around the house.

When we went in for one of Erik’s doctor visits it was decided that another MRI should be done to see what the tumor was doing.  This way we would know if the steroids were having any affect or not.  After the MRI showed no real change except where the swelling was located, it was decided to start taking Erik off the steroids.  Albert was with Micah and I during this visit.  Little did we know at the time, Albert pulled the doctor aside and inquired about a time frame.  Dr. McFarland informed Albert that he should make sure arrangements were in place soon.

 

Even as Erik’s health began to decrease more rapidly.  Micah and I were hopeful that God would heal him.  Spring was drawing close.  We had moved Erik’s bed into our room so we could monitor his breathing at night.  Erik could not speak at this point and his mobility was pretty much gone.  It was during this time that Micah and I would be woken up in the middle of the night to Erik laughing and talking in his sleep.  At first, we were taken back because we could hear him speaking plainly.  There was also a heavy presence in the room.  It was so peaceful, yet Micah and I knew better than to move or speak.  After a few more nights of Erik’s dreams, they weren’t regular occurrences; we mentioned it to Barbara and Albert.

Barbara began to talk with Erik about his dreams.  He couldn’t say a whole lot, but he tried his best with Barbara.  After some conversing it came out that Jesus was visiting Erik in his dreams.  He would run, play, and laugh with Erik.  It made so much more sense now, and explained the presence Micah and I were feeling in the bedroom.  We made sure we were more aware after that.

One day at school, I mentioned the dreams to a friend of ours who was subbing for a teacher.  It was right before the school’s Spring Break.  She asked if she could come and visit with Erik.  I told her that it would be great.  Erik had not had very many visitors lately.  She came over as soon as school was out.

“Your mom told me Jesus has been visiting you in your dreams,” she said to Erik during their visit.

Erik nodded his head and smiled.

“Did He say you would walk again?”

Erik nodded.

“Well then,” she stated, after a few more questions, “You’ll either be dancing in school, or you’ll be dancing in heaven.”

Erik smiled and nodded. 

 

Later on that week, Micah and I were talking to Erik about his visits.  The talk turned to Erik’s story and it getting shared.  I was sitting on the couch next to Erik and Micah was standing across the room.  Micah asked Erik if Jesus said he (Erik) would tell his story.  Erik shook his head ‘no’.  Then he looked straight at me and pointed.  Tears started to form in my eyes.  I asked Erik if I was suppose to share his story and he nodded.  Then he swung his arm to point to Micah across the room.  Micah stopped and stared at me.  I then asked Erik if Micah was going to share his story and Erik once again nodded.  Realization was beginning to hit me.  I still did not want to accept it.

 

Then one night, Erik’s dreaming was different.  The presence was in the room, but it was thicker and more powerful than we had felt the other times.  There wasn’t the playful laughter, but we could hear Erik talking.  Micah moved his hand to touch mine.  He felt the difference too.  We could barely move in our bed.  I wasn’t scared, but I knew better than to speak or even open my eyes.  I could feel peacefulness, but at the same time authority was present.

The next day, we called Barbara over.  She was the only one Erik would talk to about his dreams.  She sat down next to Erik on the couch.  Micah and I stayed close, but tried to be busy as they talked.

“Did Jesus come to see you again?”  Barbara asked.

Erik shook his head ‘no’.

Barbara looked puzzled, “Your parents said you had another dream.”

Erik nodded in agreement.

“It wasn’t Jesus?” she asked, “Was He there?”

Erik shook his head ‘no’ again.

Suddenly it dawned on Barbara, “Was it the Father?”

Erik’s eyes brightened and he nodded several times.  Barbara looked over at us as if to think what she should ask next. 

“Were you scared?”

Erik smiled and shook his head ‘no’.

“What did He look like?”  Barbara was trying to make sure Erik had really seen whom he said he had.

Erik paused and looked around the room.  He seemed to be pondering the question.

“Did He look like the picture on the wall?”  Barbara asked pointing to a picture of Jesus.

Erik just shook his head ‘no’.  He paused and looked up towards the light fixture, but seemed unsatisfied.

“Was He bright like the light?” she asked following his gaze.

He looked at the light disapprovingly, but then managed to move his hands to make a bigger motion.

“He was brighter than the light?”

Erik smiled and nodded in agreement again.  Barbara was satisfied and it was settled that God the Father had just visited Erik.  She looked up with tears of joy at the awesome realization.  She knew there were more questions to ask, but was hesitant.  Some of them she did not want to ask.

“What did you feel?”

Erik put his arms around himself as if to hug.  Love.

“Did the Father say you would walk again?” she asked.

Erik smiled and shook his head.  Hope filled our eyes.  Yet, Barbara knew she had to ask another question.

“Where did He say you would walk?”

Erik smiled and his eyes brightened up.  He lifted his finger to point upwards and looked up.  Barbara looked up with tears in her eyes.  She stopped asking questions.  She took a deep breath and began to praise and worship God to herself.

 

Reality sank in.

 

Author's Note

I'm sure I am missing a lot of things that people did for us. There were so much at the time, that it was very hard to keep track. These things I've mentioned are what has stuck out the most in my mind.