This category of post is never easy.
If you pay attention to local news, you may have heard the tragic story of the four Willoughby college students involved in a head-on collision near Athens County. One of those young men is my cousin, Rodney Hynd. His friend and driver was killed, as well as the driver of the other car. My cousin, with severe brain injuries, has once again been downgraded to critical condition. He is in a coma, on a ventilator, and has bleeding in his brain. Unfortunately, our family is on a “wait-and-see” schedule, as it could be 7 hours, 7 days, 7 months, until we know his outcome.
Most tragic of all is that my family is no stranger to this sort of trauma. Eerily similar, my aunt (my mom’s sister) was also victim in a fatal head-on collision at a young age (23). This happened many years ago — when I was in fourth grade — but I wish I could tell you those wounds ever healed in my family.
My mother is having nightmarish flashbacks. My brother in California wants to be home so badly by my cousin’s side — thinking he can “talk him back.” And well, our family is just a wreck.
I found myself praying already more in the last couple weeks than I have in years. Then tragedy strikes, which prompts my faith to take on a new direction. I am not an overly religious person, but in times such as these, I seem to find a calm.
Please pray for my family. And for my cousin, in hopes that he will have the strength to get through this. Also, thank you for everyone that has already reached out. It means more than you can imagine.
Related posts:
- Dating (and a brain) Faux Pas I was talking about this event and generally how cool...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Sad story, sorry to hear of it, will keep the kids and their families in my prayers
September 29th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. . .
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers*
September 29th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Mel - I am so sorry! I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:23 am
oh mel im so so so sorry.
you family will be in my prayers.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Done.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Definitely in my prayers.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Mel - this is so sad. I’m so sorry for your young cousin and your family. I’m keeping you all in my thoughts, and please let us know if there is anything more that you need or that we can do.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I love you and I’m always here for you. I’ve been where you are…as you know, it was my brother with the bleeding in his brain and in a coma on life support 15 years ago. It sucks. Period. There is nothing anyone can do that can console you or your family but we can be here for you when you need us. Please call me if you want to talk, sweetie. Big big hugs your way! I will keep you all in my prayers.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
damn that sucks so tragic. ….you can ad me to the list of people who will say a prayer for your cousin and your whole clan.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I will certainly say a prayer for you, your family and especially your cousin. Take care.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
You and your whole family will be in my family’s prayers and in my thoughts.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I’m a new reader…wishing you and your family the best.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
How tragic, your family will be in my prayers
September 29th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Yikes. I’m thinking about and praying for you and your fam.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Im also Rodney’s cousin, and I really wish i could get down there to see him. I’ve been telling everyone i can to pray for him and trying to spread the news to get all the prayers we can.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Wow, that’s rough stuff. One of the caddies I know got run over by a car and was in critical condition. He’s doing better now, though, but I’ll keep him in my prayers…
September 30th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I am Melinda’s Mom and Rodney’s aunt. I am writing through the tears. Please keep us all in you prayers. Pray for Rodney and say a few for Granny, his, and everyone’s grandmother. Give her, Roddie’s Mom, Rosey, and most importantly Roddie, the strength they need to get through this. He is stable at the moment. Thank God!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’m also Roddy’s Aunt and I too am asking everyone to please say an extra prayer for Rodney, my sister, and everyone else in my family. Even though I was just up there the beginning of September, I really miss everyone dearly.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
I am so sorry your family is going through this. You and your family are in my prayers.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Please call me so we can talk. I really miss you and my thoughts are with you (as always) and the rest of the family. Love you! Shan
October 8th, 2008 at 10:02 am
[...] My cousin Roddie is still recovering in the Columbus hospital. He has continued improvement and movement, which sends a sense of hope to everyone that has taken the time to keep our family in their thoughts. Overcoming adversity should be a mantra utilized by more people. I( need to remember even through my heartless resilience, to never to give up. [...]
October 10th, 2008 at 5:56 am
hey Rodney was like i brother to me i hope he gets better