Persons attempting to find a "text" in this [story] will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a "subtext" in it will be banished; persons attempting to explain, interpret, explicate, analyze, deconstruct, or otherwise "understand" it will be exiled to a desert island in the company only of other explainers.
BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR - Wendell Berry's introduction to Jayber Crow.
This article was posted to Jayber on 20 July 2005 by to the following categories: Family.
An audio version of this article is also available.
Brian and Jill are now back online. They have an internet connection at their new place and are now beginning to read through all the comments you have written here. Here's a special message from Jill.
First off, THANK YOU (That's you!!) so much for all the prayers, love, and support! It’s all appreciated.
Brian’s happy, healthy, well--you name it--cells are doing great work to heal his legs and help him regain his overall strength. Speaking of strength, I cannot even begin to tell you how much God given strength Brian has shown through all of this. He is a real warrior. Warrior with style too. He is time and time again showing concern for other people and eager to be in conversation and cracking jokes, if I might add, even while the paramedics were working on him. They didn’t know how to respond but I couldn’t help but crack a smile and let out a slight giggle. Brian gave and continues to give me so much hope through it all. Borrowing from what Mark (Brian’s brother) has already shared in an update Romans 5 really shows God’s power. "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Because God is so awesome, He has given His love to us all and specifically given Brian his hope, character, and perseverance which are far out-weighing his suffering.
I have faith that God will heal Brian. God has been sending his angels to watch over us all through this tough time. Two recaps of purposeful prayer answered...Mom Gustafson offered a prayer in a time of frustration when the nurses could not get the vac to work on Brian's left leg. This was an issue throughout the hospital stay but this time it had been quite a few hours with minimal flow until it became totally blocked. Mom Gustafson prayed with me and when I returned to the room it was working again. A few days later Brian was scheduled for a 2:30 pm skin graft surgery and with having to be NPO (nothing per oral) since midnight the night before every surgery thus far he was understandably tired of it in more ways than one. I asked Mom Benson to pray for an earlier time, she did, and they came to get him for surgery at 7:30 am. God is good.
Brian and I are enjoying our new home. We are so thankful for our family and friends and beyond that for the friends of our family members who have been there for them so they can be there for us. Thanks. Love, Jill
Brian and Jill, Praying today for you, for God’s continued strength in your healing process! Since Annette is in Ukraine, I haven’t heard how things are going this week? How about an update and praise/prayer requests:-)
Hey Lori. Thanks for the curiousity. I am glad to say that everything is going ahead of schedule. Of course we all know what doctors schedules are. I had my third doctors visit since discharge and progressively as you would expect with my good attitude and positive thoughts from many people, everything that was previously of concern is now becoming healthy legs. Also as a result of the latest visit we are scheduled for a final surgery on Tuesday with the purpose being to physically manipulate and break-up scar tissue and calcium deposits that would hinder muscle function. And also we got the go ahead to begin physical therapy immediately after surgery. A couple other good things that have recently come to be is the reduction in pain medication and the discontinuation of certain medications that are undesireable to a healthy individual. My appetite is up. I am trying to get unskinny. The graft is now 100% taken and sealed.
Of course how could I not mention the one in my life that needs more credit than I can probably give in this short commentary. This wonderful person of patience and fortitude who welcomes everyone into her life with loving arms also doubles as my caretaker. Jill has withstood some pretty amazing trauma herself through this ordeal and has proven to be a trooper. I can’t imagine going through this alone and am thankful that she is here to take care of me in this time of need. Next time you see her make sure you give her a big hug and say “thanks for being the selfless servant and the example for those around you who strive for that trait.”
As everything is looking fantastic and healing like the dickens, my guess is that I will be putting pressure on these twigs very soon, and when that happens…..ain’t nothing stopping this recovery! I fully expect to be the mobile person I was before June 21st and I also expect to be much better and more mobile than before (this may be my one chance to get rid of the Benson’s short hamstrings ;) So hope that gives a little insight to what I am thinking and how things are going. in the mean time I do find time occasionally to go outside, Dennis (dad) and I have it in to play some Botchy Ball but I may have to change the tires on the wheel chair to something a little more off roady, maybe some deep well swampers or something, you should see the wheels on this chair by the way they have to be at least 24’s no doubt. Also I have been working on getting rid of my farmers tan but it’s not working and my back is still white so I thought I would stop while I was ahead of the game.
Thanks for the concern and for sending positive thoughts our direction.
Brian and Jill Benson
Yeah God!!
I’m glad your dad will be home for your surgery and I will keep you in my prayers….both of you:-)
Thanks for the awesome update and know that you’ll be in my prayers on Tuesday!
Jill:
Thanks for being the selfless servant and the example for those around you who strive for that trait!!! (not sure when I will see you so I’ll reiterate Brians words and sincerely say that you are amazing!)
Brian & Jill: Hope Tuesday’s surgery goes well and that your road to recover is all smooth from there on. Keep up the good attitude — we’ll keep sending good thoughts your way. Hugs…