The following is why today I celebrate LIFE. It is a lot of reading and no pictures...but may it be a blessing to you to read. This is why Kiser Krafts is very dear to me. Why it is SO important. Let me take you back nine years...
The day was just like any other:
work, plans for the weekend, and 'normal' life. Blessings were all around me,
though at the time, I was too self absorbed to see them clearly. God had
arranged so much. To protect me. To guide me. To show His love for me.
A celebration of love had past,
wedding of my cousin Lisa to the love of her life Adam. I was involved in the
wedding weekend. And I know it was a blast! Pictures tell me so. It was a huge
weekend and so important to me. Then focus shifted back to where I needed it to
be, though it was still not fully on what I was suppose to be. The Mexico
missions trip earlier that year, June, had my heart and spirit on the wings on
missionary work and the need to head to bible college. I "hemmed &
hawed", slightly dragging my feet. I was where "I" thought I
should be. Working. Working. And Working. The massage world had my attention.
Custodial world had my loyalty. I worked. I worked hard. And I was useless. My
heart was not right. My actions, oh yes, they were right. I did as I was told
and followed everyone else. But in the end God saw so much more that I could
do. But not the way I was. Not the self centered, egotistical, prideful women I
was. (*note*: I am human and fight against those things everyday - I do fail,
miserably sometimes) God provided a way.
God broke my car down. And my loving
Dad lent me his. While my brother and Dad looked into what might be wrong with
my car, I drove a state the art, brand new, car(one with all the "bells
and whistles" that my parents had saved up to afford, their blessing). God
made a way. The morning of August 12, 2004, I got up. Dressed in my favorite
outfit for work, overalls. It was a normal day. And I don't remember it. Nor do
I remember the weeks prior, my business, my college training, high school, and
childhood. God wiped it all clean. I hit a tree with my Daddy's car. His new
car. The one I was only borrowing. Totaled. I was trapped inside and not found
for an estimated two hours. But God had a plan, it was all arranged. A lady
found me on her way to work, on a route she never takes. She saw taillights on
the side of the road and was curious enough to stop to investigate. My injuries
were broken right wrist, broken left leg/ankle, and blood on the left frontal
and left temporal lobes of my brain. My only helicopter ride and I was
unconscious.
Here is where I know God had is His
hands on everything. My purse went from the front to the back and spilled out
my checkbook and drivers license. She then recognized my last name. And called
my parents. The scariest phone call a parent could ever receive. I was less
then 2 miles from my home when the accident happened. It is true most accidents
happen close to home. I am sure the next hours were the most terrifying hours
of my parents lives. They lost me a total of three times(I died). Twice on the
side of the road and once in the Emergency room. But God sent me back every
time. He was not finished with me yet. The time was harder on my family, then
it was on me. I really only had to recover but I struggled with a lot of
things. Struggles that reach to even today. Amnesia is a hard thing, a lonely
thing. God is always there, so I remind myself I am not alone. To not remember
something that everyone in the room knows, is discouraging. To have a word that
is spoken in an everyday conversation that you don't understand nor know its
meaning, can leave one feeling lost and confused. To face the looks one gets
when you asked for a definition, a further explanation, or you do not ask at
all in hopes of remembering the word later so you can look it up. If you can store
that knowledge in your brain for later on. I pray for remembrance of the
important things(daily). I can rely on God to give me what I need to know when
I need to know it. God provided a way.
Nine years have past. Nine years of
healing, relearning, mistakes (A LOT of mistakes), re-growth, re-newness, and
many many many blessings. Within those eight years: I moved, changed jobs, went
to college states apart from my family, made mistakes, met the love of my life,
moved states, and was given a beautiful family of my very own. God gave me the
knowledge I would need for the blessing of my husband and two children. I
praise the Lord each morning when I know my name and where I am. To remember
that I'm married and have kids. I do my best to not live in fear of forgetting.
It is scary to not know your name or know the people closest to you (Mom, Dad,
spouse, etc.). I am grateful for the flashbacks when they happen but they do
not always stick. My poor husband has told me a few times I have had the same
flashback repeatedly. While he has heard it before, it is new to me. I am so
thankful God gave me an understanding husband. Eight years, wow, so short a
time, yet for me, a lifetime. It is the new beginning for me and God has given
me so much within that time.
I am so thankful for the therapies
we were given. The main one was crafting. I have always been creative and some
things were so ingrained into my natural person that creating things helped
draw my brain back.
The main craft that helps is crochet.
Crochet literally saved my life. With crochet, I can live my life. I’m not sure if it is the rhythm of making loops or
the calm you receive by just sitting still with only your hands moving but I
know if I do not crochet; I forget. It might be small things but I forget. To
forget is terribly scary for me. I fear waking again not knowing who I am or
those around me who I love. Thankfully, I have recovered to my normal brain age
mentality. You can ask my husband, there are moments where I am not my age mentally.
But as soon as I create a crochet item, mentally I return. The steady rhythm
and constant repetitive motion helps my brain sort itself. So while many
crochet for fun (it is fun), I crochet to remember. Remember my name, my
husband, my children and the needs of the God given day. Each day is new and
fresh for me. Each day is blessings…even more so for the things I remember. Thank you for letting me share with you why
crochet (crafting) to me is a miracle.
I am so thankful for the love and
support of my parents, brother, sister, family members, and friends through
this life altering event. God place each every one of you right where I needed
you too be. I fail miserably to remember to whom I have thanked. So, thank you,
each of you for your kindness, prayers, patience, and love. I would not be who
I am today without you and your help. God blesses every day.
Thank you for journeying back with me to celebrate a new life. Now you know a bit more of me - the creator behind Kiser Krafts. Have an EPICALLY awesome blessed day!
