My heart

is breaking for Tami, Jimmy, and Luke Carter.

Just for a little background....Tami and Jimmy lived across the street from us for several years (when they were first married).  Of course we already knew them but that is when we became so close to them.  Many summer nights were spent outside together talking...while Jimmy played basketball with our teenage boys.  Then we just became so close. Tami started going to aerobics with me and went until a few years ago when she had some back problems.
We have stayed so close to their family, and about a year ago when they were here at our house, they we struggling with some family issues...not between them....their marriage is solid....and they asked Shad to give them each a blessing.  That is our relationship with them.
Last Sat. we had gone to watch Allie play soccer and when we got home that evening, there was a message on the answering machine from Traci Bradshaw saying that Tami had asked her to call us and ask us to pray for Luke.  At that time Tami and Jimmy were on their way to St. George where Luke had been life-lighted.  All we knew was that he had been in a motorcycle accident in Panaca, NV,had been hurt ,and they thought he had broken his back.  We immediately said a prayer and opened a fast for him (and for them).  Shad then called Traci back to learn that he was in surgery and it didn't look good.  Of course we continued to pray...we are still praying, and I text ed Tami to let her know that we had gotten her message and we were fasting and praying for them.
This morning I got a phone call from Tami . She gave me many more details, shared some tender mercies they have been granted, but it is not a good prognosis for Luke.  Thankfully he did not suffer from any brain trauma, but his spinal cord was crushed and he will be paralyzed from the waist down.  I think the reality of it had set in for them earlier, but it is now becoming real for Luke.....and he is 18 years old.  Now Tami is needing to be strong for him also.
I hesitated to post this....just because with our own trials, I have felt like my life has been so hard this past 6 months, but the Carter's are part of our family.  This trial is also our trial.  Of course they have been on our minds constantly, and I just listened this morning.  She needed someone to be there for her and I was thankful she would chose me.  We will continue to be there for them.  They have a long road ahead of them.  I know that is about all we both know.....it is going to be so hard, painful, and right now we can't even look forward to taking it day by day....more like minute by minute.
I can truthfully say that I don't know what she is going through, but I do know that feeling she described as she said she felt like she had been hit in the stomach and was going to throw up.  We are praying so hard for their family.  I wish we could do more.  We had thought about going to see them, but at this point, I can see they need some time.  When she calls again, and I feel like it is the right time, we will be there for them.  Then when everyone else has gone on with their lives......we WILL BE THERE FOR THEM AS THEY NEED US.
Even though I have always been a "worrier", I have considered  myself to be a positive person.  From my blog, I hope it doesn't seem negative.....but this is my journal...and this is my life right now.