Janbrackett@blogspot.com

Looking forward to the Next 50!

2010-08-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

In approximately 3 weeks, 50 years of marriage will be celebrated! How can it be that the time has gone by so quickly? We were just 17 and 18. Two teenagers in love! I have often wondered why our marriage has lasted this long. God must of been pleased ( after He stopped smiling :), to be gracious to us and reveal His mercy to us at just the right time. There is no other explanation to the question. Before I knew Him as my Savior, I remember the pastor that married us quoting scripture, saying the blessing over us. "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder." I did not know the love of God or His power to work in my life. I believed the scripture and if anyone objected to our marriage I intended to use Him as my defense! After all, I had eloped, was underage for legal marriage and wasn't as smart as I thought I was but was pretty sure that God approved of marriage. Now, 50 years down the road of life, with 4 children, and 7 grandchildren I can most assuredly testify of the Lord's blessing on our union. He is just that kind of Heavenly Father! Forgiving, loving, full of mercy and truth, they are only a few of His attributes we've experienced. Our great God made the world, the universe and everything in it to glorify Him. Marriage was His idea as He brought the woman to the man, to multiply and fill the earth. As He has explained in the scripture marriage is a picture of our relationship to Christ. He is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. She is holy and pure because of His sacrifice. I hope our marriage brings Him glory as we celebrate His goodness to us and praise Him. I'm so happy to be the wife of my beloved husband and also part of the bride of Christ.

The Measure of A Man

2010-06-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Looking back over nearly 50 years of marriage, I can confidently speak to the quality of the character of the man I married at age 17. To realize at such a young age what constituted the fidelity and love that this man has given me all these years was not in my thinking at that time. For one so young to have to grow up so quickly took a mighty strong character. This man had exhibited maturity beyond his years during the time we were both growing up. He held his first child at the age of 19. She quickly won his heart and they were bonded as father and daughter. The more the responsibilities increased the harder he worked to provide for his growing family. I do not recall a time when he bemoaned his lost youth and the freedoms so many of his peers had as young adults. He took responsibility for his decisions and as his father commented on our elopement many years ago, "you've made your bed, now sleep in it". Sounds a little harsh, but that's exactly what he did. As the years and decades passed 3 other children were born and raised by a hard working Dad who loved and provided for each one. Before the 4th child was born, a wonderful thing happened to this already wonderful man. He was introduced to Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that point forward his life began to take on a new focus. To know God and to live a life that was God centered. The Bible became the source of instruction on becoming a man after God's own heart. God has been true to His word to complete what He has started in a person's life. As the measure of integrity in his heart began to grow so did an amazing transformation. Integrity that was there all along began to mature and exhibit qualities of what God desired in a husband and father. God is not slow about his promises. Even though spiritual growth seems to take forever God does accomplish His purposes in our lives over time. The youthful energy has now slowed somewhat but the desire to serve God has increased. This man will leave a legacy to his children and grandchildren of stability, faith, consistency, hard work and a servant's heart. He has been most faithful to me and will always be the love of my life and my friend.

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

2010-05-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

I am going to meander away from my previous blog thoughts for a while.
Lately I've been pondering thoughts of, "What is the Measure of A Man?" My father was the first man in my life and from him I measured my impressions of what a man should be. As the first of four children and being the only girl I believed I was special to my Dad. He was a good father and provider. He was an honorable and brave soldier during WWII. As it has been recounted to me, he adored me as a baby and would walk with me in his arms around the house and sing, "I'm Going to Buy a Paper Doll". Although this early relationship with my Dad cannot be consciously recalled I know that those moments are ingrained in my soul. So, through his voice and touch I began to know my Daddy. When he went away to fight in the war I was almost three years old. I must of wondered where he went.
By the time I was 2 1/2 I had a new brother competing for attention. Then three years later another brother arrived on the scene and then eight years after that another brother was born. By this time I was a teenager and loved being able to take care and help my mother with a newborn. Dad stayed busy earning a living and providing for his family. He was faithful to take us to church on Sunday morning where I received a knowledge that there was a God whose Son was Jesus. These were my first impressions of what a man was supposed to be.
What was it that caused me to relate to this man called 'my father'? The estimation of his love for me determined his worth in my eyes. Many conclude that the measure of a man's worth is found in his achievements in the business world, or perhaps it is the wealth he has gained and the power he has over others and then again many judge him by his outward beauty, his physique or personality. But for me, my Dad was security and protection. He provided a safe haven for me to grow up and he introduced me to church and the concept that there was a God.

Father's Day 1961!

2009-09-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, June 17th, as I got out of bed my water broke! This was the due date for the baby. Little did I realize that it would be 18 hours after I arrived at the hospital before our daughter would be born! Kellee Anne Brackett arrived at 1:21 PM Sunday afternoon. It was Fathers Day and everything was normal and we had a beautiful baby girl weighing in at 6lbs 14oz. and 20 3/4 inches long. She was born at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. My doctor was Dr. Daniel Ehrlich a fine Jewish obstetrician. It was a long birthing process and I had little knowledge on how birthing worked, so when the final hour approached I was given a "saddle block" and the doctor helped her out with forceps. About 6 hrs. before she arrived the Dr. had told Jim to go on home, it was going to be a while. So, being dutiful and tired he went home and got some sleep. Things starting progressing back at the hospital and the Dr. called Jim and told him to come on over but to take his time. He stopped at Dairy Queen, got a milkshake and probably talked to Chuck who owned DQ before he headed on over to the hospital. When he got there our daughter had already arrived like 1 hour ago! I remember laying in the hall wondering where he was. How I wanted to share our precious gift together. Finally, we got to do that! Kellee was beautiful with a head full of dark hair, perfectly formed with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Four days later we got to bring her home. How joyous and proud I felt to hold, dress and care for my very own child. Jim's Dad met us at the curb and asked to carry his grandchild into the house. So, baby Brackett met her Grandaddy for the first time!

My Memories

2009-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've been writing about my memories of life from a teen perspective in the 1950's through the 1960's. As you well know times and people have changed but there is something that never changes. That is our search for significance. Probably from reading my posts you've been able to discern my search for understanding and meaning in life. I hope to be able to explain how my journey through life was affected through my own choices and God's divine plan for me. God makes the statement in Romans 8:28 that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I can say Amen to that scripture! Even when I thought I was in control of my life, I had a Heavenly Father who was permitting me to go my way; allowing me the freedom to make decisions that would lead me to a point in time when He could speak directly to me. Sometimes, some of us have to go through a lot of heartache in order for us to admit we need help. I have a big Pride problem that disguises itself as self righteousness and self sufficiency. I hope to be able to record this lifetime journey accurately that my children and grandchildren will know where I have come from and hopefully avoid the hidden pitfalls I fell into but also embrace the grace that God has given me. to be continued

First Year Continues

2009-08-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 30, 2009

First Year Continued

Starting back to school to finish my senior year was definitely different than any of my previous high school years. After all, I was the only married student in the whole school! Initially, I reported to the office to let them know my new married status. I was now a Brackett and wanted everyone to know. I had my schedule and started classes on time. During these first few weeks of married life we lived with my parents. Jim would get up and go off to work while I got ready for school. My heart was not really in to finishing out my senior year, sadly to say. When I found out for sure that I was going to have a baby I made the decision to drop out. This was sometime in November of 1960. I remember going around to all of my teachers and letting them know of my decision. Mr. Byrd was my bookkeeping teacher and he did not want me to leave. He said that he would help me finish and get my diploma. Stubborn girl that I was I wouldn't listen and said no to his offer. I did not realize how significant his offer to help was. All I wanted was to be free of studying and getting up each day for school. Looking back, I can see that the early effects of pregnancy were probably taking a toll on me. I was tired and my body was changing, though at the time I was still thin and you couldn't tell by looking at me that I was pregnant. I'm sure that my parents experienced a lot of disappointment in that decision! Sometime during the Fall of 1960, Jim and I moved out of my parents home and into our first apartment. It was not long after leaving school that I got a job at Hutzler's Dept. store in Baltimore city. I didn't mind working like I did going to school. I had to take a bus into the city in order to get to Hutzlers. Some days I worked 5 - 6 hrs and Jim would come into town and meet me for dinner. I remember wearing my first maternity clothes in the month of December. I really wanted everyone who saw me to know that I was going to be a mother! During that season of my life, I was young, in love and and excited about life. I can remember that during most of my growing up years I had a fascination for babies and loved babysitting infants. I was very adept in caring for young children. I had a lot of experience with my youngest brother Greg. I was 13 when he was born and he was my special delight! Our first Christmas was wonderful and we bought gifts for everyone on both sides. The first tree was a pine, very few ornaments but lovely. The early part of the new year seemed to creep along as I was counting the days and weeks till the baby was due. The old saying, "a watched pot never boils" is exactly what it was like to wait for my baby to arrive. But as surely as the sun comes up each day, the months passed and before I knew it was June. My memories of the start of June 1961 were bittersweet. I was remembering that all my friends were graduating from high school, going to prom and all the other special occasions that graduation brings with it. I felt sad but also happy at the same time. My decision to marry and drop out of school was one I had made and many times over the years have had to learn hard lessons and to live with those choices. Three baby showers were given by friends and family and that went a long way toward chasing any blues away and brought the enjoyment of the love and best wishes from so many. We had all the essentials for welcoming our new baby. The waiting was almost over! to be continued

Our First Year

2009-08-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a good day to continue the teenage saga! Today is the day after my 49th anniversary! So, hopefully my perspective has matured as many years have gone by and given me the benefit of experience.
The early years of the 1960's were filled with having three children in rather quick order, being a new wife and then a mother and learning how to do all the things that come with responsibility. My Dad was initially furious about my elopement but gradually became one of my biggest supporters! Early on he suggested we purchase a family type car (which we did!) and he also encouraged Jim to apply for a job at Westinghouse Electric (Air Arm Division). Jim passed all the tests and was soon hired in a full time position as a wireman. The salary was twice what he was making when we married a month earlier. Three weeks after getting married I found out I was going to have our first child the following June. Jim's Mom rented out her apartment to us that first year for $40.00 a month. We set up a weekly budget. We were so immature yet in so many ways we did some things right! Our budget included rent, food, no utilities because Jim's Mom paid that, gasoline, car payment, entertainment and saving for our new baby. Jim's health insurance didn't cover that because he hadn't been there that long when we found out I was expecting. We bought some living room furniture on time. Mom B. bought us a new frig, my parents a new TV and my great aunt a kitchen set. We used my bedroom furniture. My mother and father must of had great pity on us. They gave us a wedding reception in September of 1960 with a beautiful cake. Friends and family came and we received lots of presents to help us get started! We do have a few pictures of this occasion. Here is one of us cutting the cake! to be continued

Spring & Summer1960

2009-03-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

When I arrived home from Ann's house I was totally surprised that my Dad didn't get on my case about being late. A few days later however, he casually said to me that the car wasn't driving just right and did I know anything about it. I said no and he just let it go. Oh, if I had only realized how gracious my Dad was being! Senior week at our high school was the following week from the gas station incident. All seniors got a lot of privileges during that time. One afternoon I was sitting in my shorthand class when Jim Brackett came into the classroom. All the girls perked up when they saw him! ( during those days, he looked a lot like Ricky Nelson a rock & roll singer popular at that time! As you can see from a previous post, I liked Ricky Nelson!) He said to my shorthand teacher that he needed a secretary to take some dictation. She complied and told him to pick whoever he wanted. He looked us over and his eyes landed on me! He must have recognized me from the gas station and said that he would take me. WOW! Can you imagine how excited this girl was!? Well just go back for a moment in time and hear her heart thumping? That day was the beginning of our young love. We went over to one of the biology labs and he very formally said he wanted me to take a letter to a former girlfriend! I didn't care who it was to. All I knew was in that moment I was in a state of shock and just thrilled to be where I was, doing what he was asking me to do. This teenage girl fell in love on the day she met; this personable, cute guy. Sounds crazy, I know but it's true. We started dating almost immediately. Actually, the dates consisted of driving me home from school, going to the movies, going down to the Point which was a beach where a lot of kids hung out. There was another young man I had started going with who had just given me a friendship ring a few days before. I felt really terrible about having accepted his ring. Being the honorable young man that he was, Jim took the ring back for me and explained the situation to this other guy. I didn't have enough nerve to face him. I did feel bad, but my feelings for this guy named Jim were very strong. The first big date we had was to the senior class picnic. It was here that I was acknowledged as Jim's girl and for the next 6-8 weeks we dated steadily and frequently. In July of that year I had to go with my parents to Ocean City Md for our family vacation. I didn't want to leave my new boyfriend for a whole week. ( I was afraid he might meet another girl) He was invited to join my family for the next weekend but I was still insecure. On Friday afternoon I was on the front porch of the rental house anxiously waiting to see if he would really show up. And, yes he did! He has since told me that he spent the whole week getting his car all spiffed up just to come see me and that he wouldn't have missed it for the world. Oh! what needless worry; God is still teaching me to think on what is TRUE. It was true that Jim loved me and much more than I ever realized. I still had my part-time job at the bakeshop and he had one at Towers Dept. store in the shoe dept. One evening at a drive in theater in Lake Shore MD Jim told me of his desire to live the rest of his life with me. So when asked if I would marry him I answered yes I would. As with everything else in my life, I never gave it a second thought. I was living for the moment and didn't think about what lie ahead. The pledge was given and received and the plans were formulated to accomplish a secret wedding ceremony. We knew neither one of our parents would agree to us marrying so young and especially me not having finished high school yet. This is why we decided to keep all of this a secret till after I finished school. Then we planned to tell our parents.

The Year Was 1960!

2009-03-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

In November of 1959 I turned 17 years old. I was in the 11th grade at Brooklyn Park High School taking what was then called "The Commercial" course. The courses were geared to preparing me for an office job. Typing, shorthand, bookeeping plus the other required subjects like English, history, science and gym were what my studies consisted . Not really having any definite plans as to what I wanted to do after high school I took this course of study with the idea in mind of working as a stenographer or secretary after graduation. My parents never discussed going to college with me, but later on they said they had wanted me to go to Hood college to finish out my education. Perhaps they wanted me to become a teacher. I'll never know for sure. I was a pretty good student with A,B grades and maybe a C or two. I often wonder how kids at that age know for sure what they want to do with their lives and make their educational choices wisely! All I know is at that time in the history of my life I didn't really have a clue. (but God did and He allowed me to grow up at my own pace) Being a young teenage girl, wrapped up in herself and desiring to be popular I pretty much went along with my peers and what they were up to. At this point in time I was becoming rebelliously independent and disrespectful to my parents. I wanted to smoke cigarettes so I badgered my parents till they said ok. After all, they had given my younger brother Bucky permission so why couldn't I? One of the interests I had in high school was belonging to the Civil Air Patrol. Our unit met at the fire hall in Riviera Beach once a week. I don't remember how I got involved in this but I enjoyed wearing the uniform and going to meets where we marched. At our home station we would practice marching and listen to talks about CAP. I met a lot of different people through this organization. I believe I was only involved for about 1-1/2 years. For some unknown reason I've always liked uniforms and the discipline of the military. I went to lots of dances and parties with girlfriends and as I got older I began to have a few boyfriends. Mostly, I just wanted to go out and not sit at home on a Friday or Saturday night. I must admit I used a couple of guys who had cars just to go somewhere. One night in the spring of 1960 I was to take a girlfriend home from my house but instead of doing that she encouraged me to drive down to Glen Burnie to a gas station where some of the guys hung out! So, that is exactly what I did! She was right, there were a group of guys there that she knew. They were all seniors and some were pretty popular. One of those guys came over to my window where I was seated behind the wheel and wanted to know if he could drive my car. It was my Dad's '55 Pontiac 3 speed stick shift. I didn't give it a second thought as I got out and gave him the wheel! His name was Jim and he took the car for a ride around the block. Little did I know that he burned a few thousand miles off the tires before returning. We stayed for a while then I realized that my Dad would be expecting me home by now. We left the station and I drove her back to her house in Brooklyn. Then I drove home with a story as to why I was late. ( to be continued)

The Year Was 1958

2008-11-05T15:07:00.000-08:00

In Nov.of 1958 I turned 16! Back in those days you had to be 16 before you got your learner's permit so on my birthday I got my permit.My mother took on the job of teaching me to drive. She was an excellent driver herself so I was in good hands. The car I learned to drive on was a 1955 Pontiac. It was a big old car compared to today's standards; a 3 speed stick shift on the column. So,knowing what that meant,I had to learn how and when to push in the clutch and shift gears smoothly. Mom was a good teacher with lots of patience but one time she nearly lost it! We were coming home from somewhere and I was getting ready to turn the corner when Mom said to use the brake. But mistakenly I stepped on the gas and we flew around that turn! She was a little upset to say the least. She taught me to parallel park out on the street where we lived. I studied the instruction manual and the day arrived for me to take my driver's test. This was no easy task like it is today! We drove into Baltimore City to the DMV where the tests were given. I passed my written exam and eye test with no problems. Then a State trooper got in the passenger side of my car and told me to drive to the corner and make a right turn. We had no blinker's in the cars back then so I had to open my window ahead of time and stick out my arm to make a right hand signal while also coming to a stop! We went around a city block with traffic and when we reached the point where we had started he got out and told me to park the car! Oh! boy! Now the real test of my driving skill was about to be tested. There were 2 posts out on the street that I was to maneuver my car between without knocking them over. If you did it was an automatic failure. The first time I backed up I tapped the pole lightly and it rocked a bit but it didn't fall down. Oh, I was so nervous but I immediately pulled forward and tried again and the second time I parked it perfectly. He passed me with a smile! On the way home I felt so happy and begged my mother to let me take the car to school for the rest of the day. Believe it or not, she did. I cannot describe how wonderful it felt to drive for the first time by myself. There was a wonderful sense of freedom that I experienced that day as I proudly drove into the school parking lot. Of course, all my friends wanted me to drive them home after school and I did drive some of them. The trust that my parents placed in me in allowing me drive the family car was awesome. As I look back over the years (50 now)I believe I've honored the trust that was given me by having an excellent, safe driving record. I've had only 1 ticket and that was dismissed by a judge plus I was in a head on collision that was not my fault. A truck driver crossed over a double yellow line and hit me head on. I had to go the hospital in an ambulance as a result and sustained a fractured sternum, a head bump and some stomach bruises. All in all I still consider myself a good driver. We were a one car family and yet my parents allowed me to take the car to school from time to time. This entailed my Mom taking my Dad to work and then getting back in time for me to take the car to school. All my friends got the benefit of me driving them home on those days. In fact, I don't remember any of them driving to school in their family's car. I guess I was blessed in so many ways back then and didn't even realize it!

On Being A Teen In The 50's & 60's!

2008-11-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

Life was hopping and jitterbugging was the rage! Elvis was the hearthrob of the day as well as Pat Boone and Ricky Nelson. We danced to "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors and sooo many other great songs. I still love all of those great 50's hits! High school was a great place to meet new friends and have opportunities to experience life in a broader sense. The school I attended was a good distance from my home therefore, I was able to meet new kids from an area differing from mine. I was 14 when I started high school and in the ninth grade. Up until this time in my life, I was a pretty spoiled young lady! I was a tall and slender brunette (only 113 lbs.) and the oldest and only girl in my family of 3 brothers. We lived in a good neighborhood and our house was one of those 50's type cottages on a street with others of the same style. My Dad held a good job at Westinghouse and my Mom was a stay at home mother. (although she did work sometimes outside the home.) My Grandmother lived with us for as long as I can remember, but in 1958 she passed away. I guess it was because I never knew anything different, I just thought that was how most people lived. I say that I was spoiled because as a young girl and now a young lady, I was never required to help with any of the household chores. Oh yes, I can remember helping to dry dishes from time to time especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas and ocassionally helping with the wash but other than that I was carefree. My Grandmother and Mom did all the housework and cooking. Occasionally, I did pitch in but I would rather be outside. I liked to help my Dad chop wood for the fireplace though! In my neighborhood I came to know about a dozen kids who were around my age and we formed a unique clique and called ourselves the "dirty dozen". Being around 14 & 15 yrs. of age we hung out. We walked to the local drugstore to buy records and drink cokes and then walk back home. We went to movies on Saturday's together and rode the bus from Linthicum to Glen Burnie. Oh what freedom we thought we had as we got away from parental supervision for a few hours. Actually, we never caused any kind of problem and never did anything illegal. We were just kids growing up. We also enjoyed playing baseball out in the street in front of my house and then when we had a snowstorm and were off from school we all went sledding together. It was kind of romantic on these winter outings as one of the kids in our gang was born the day after me (and in the same hospital) {I thought that was soo cool and that we were destined for each other} and he was tall and looked like Ricky Nelson. I had a crush on him! When I was around 15 yrs. old, I got my first job at Keller's Bake Shop. I worked Saturday's and some Sunday afternoon's selling baked goods and cleaning blackened bake pans for .50 an hour. I remember the first year I had my new job that I wanted to give my Mom a special gift for Christmas so, I went into Glen Burnie to a jewelry shop and purchased her a really nice watch on time. Each week I went there to make a payment on my lay/away until it was paid for and it was such a pleasure to give her this gift when I had finally paid it off. Back then, I was not allowed to bring it home till I had made good on my promise to pay.

The first day of high school I found mysef in my new homeroom class with Mr. Baker my Civics and homeroom teacher. He was an older gentleman, nice but not too exciting. As I looked around the room, I didn't see anyone that I knew. Then the girl sitting next to me introduced herself as we left class and we walked together to the next room. (and for the next 4 yrs.!) Her name was Marge Kessler and she is still my friend today! ( to be continued)

at friend's house on a Sat. night

My Dad's '55 Pontiac Learning to back out!

Final Chapter

2008-09-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

The early years of the 80's were times of healing and growing. Our oldest son Jim had been a senior in high school when Sharon was injured. Her accident affected him greatly. I believe he felt guilty because he hadn't picked her up from school on that February day. Looking back I wish I had been more sensitive to his feelings and how his sister's condition had touched him. Kellee was away at Geneva College and she had received news through a memo on the bulletin board that her brother had called. Their thoughts are recorded, {I believe on their blogs} if you care to read how the news of Sharon's accident affected them. Our family consisted of 4 children, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. We cared about each other and this accident touched everyone in different ways. So many people reached out to us through prayer, acts of kindness, food, babysitting, phone calls and gifts. During the middle of the 80's, our 2 oldest children were married. Kellee met her husband Kirk while teaching school in Haiti and Jim met Val while at Geneva College. Our first and second grandchildren were born in short order in 1986 & 87. In 1987, Sharon met John Schwab while we attended Faith Bible Church. John showed an interest in Sharon by asking us if he could take her to some concerts at Washington Bible College. Of course we said that she could go with him as we knew him to be a good man and we thought that Sharon would love to get out. This became a regular occurance. Sometimes, John would take her out to eat, other times to various functions around town. As time went on we began to see that Sharon seemed to really like John and we wondered if John was just being kind to her or was there something else going on? So, we did the natural thing and asked John what were his intentions? We didn't want our daughter to be emotionally hurt if what she was feeling was not reciprocated. I hope John didn't mind us being so forward but we had to protect Sharon!! John reassured us that he also felt something more that just a friendship for Sharon. A few months later John asked us if he could marry Sharon!! They were married the end of April 1988 and this past year they celebrated 20 years of marriage. There is much more to the story of how Sharon's life has played out but then, everyone who knows the Lord has a story of how God has led them all the way. I want to say "Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace to myself, Sharon and the rest of the family." Without God's sustaining grace despair would have overcome me. "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalms) I hope you have enjoyed reading about this journey of faith. God has a way of bringing His children to maturity and praise His name, He is not finished yet! Here are a few pictures of the girl in the story. The first one is with her sister and Dad on Kellee's "senior" day at high school. The month is May 1979! Sharon is on the right:>)

8 months before Sharon'saccident

Here comes the bride!

Mr. & Mrs. John Schwab

Everyone is so happy for Sharon

Years later at home in Gaithersburg!

Next to Last Segment

2008-09-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Today, I would like to continue my account of how my daughter's accident has affected my life. Sharon began making progress as she slowly emerged from the coma. One of the first areas to return was her ability to speak. She began with complete sentences; but each word was repeated twice. "I I love love you you." Never having traveled down this road before we didn't know what to make of this. We were assured that it was all part of the process. During the time that Sharon was in the Carter Center our five year old son Ben was very sick for a few weeks with inner ear infections and needed surgery for tubes to be put in. He ran a high fever for a few days after the surgery then he finally began to improve. We had to juggle our visits to see Sharon during this time. One early blessing that we received was our daughter praising God as she listened to a Christian music tape. She was physically only half the person that she was before but yet here she was praising God in song and with her "words". We were allowed to take her outside the WPC center for brief visits in her wheelchair. She had not progressed to walking yet. I'm sure she enjoyed getting out of the hospital environment and into some fresh air. A few weeks later we were told that we could take her home. She still had a lot of spasticity in her arm and feet. As she rode home in the car, she kept flipping down the sun visor to look at herself. She was not herself by any means but she was holding promise for much improvement. Her home care involved many people coming and going. Occupational, physical and speech therapists and teachers were common sights at our house. Sharon had to re-learn so many basics. Crawling, walking, speaking, toilet training and controlling her emotions; all these things were major accomplishments. It's amazing that she knew who we were and who she was. I had a friend who was a nurse who came over one day to help me give Sharon a tub bath. What a blessing she was! As the swelling receded in the brain we experienced lots of ups and downs during the next few months. Some of her friends came by initially but as time went on and they saw that she was not the same their visits became less. Sharon was returned to school in September of that same year. She returned in a wheelchair as she was not quite walking yet. And, of course she had to have someone willing to push her to classes. We did not realize that she wasn't really ready to go back to school at this time. We were in a hurry to get her going again and I think we pushed her a little too fast. That fall she began to have small brain seizures which affected her emotionally. Her behavior became very inappropriate. Jim & I both felt that this time during her recovery was worse than the initial first weeks. We actually didn't know what was happening to her. She did and said crazy things and the more we tried to reason with her the worse it got. Finally, we took her back to the hospital and she was examined by a psychiatrist and his diagnoses was "small brain seizures". These were affecting her behavior. He put her on a diuretic and within a few weeks her behavior turned around for the better. She went through a lot of depression but finally things began to stabilize. After trying a number of schooling options she was finally returned to Glen Burnie High School for her senior year. She walked down the aisle and received her diploma on stage! She was a year or 2 behind, but she made the grade. Sharon continued to make progress both emotionally and socially. She had a number of jobs during the ensuing years and actually learned to ride the public transportation system down to Baltimore to some training she was receiving. I actually followed the bus to make sure that she got off and on at the right spot. It was harrowing to say the least. One time a bus driver asked me why I was biting my lip? How could he tell I was stressed? Sharon's life has not been an easy one to say the least. But through it all she has exhibited much grace and strength in the Lord. She has a powerful will that keeps moving her forward. She doesn't look back and bemoan her fate. She does not feel sorry for herself which is a great attribute. She loves people and she thinks the best of others. She doesn't take into account a wrong suffered and doesn't hold a grudge. Did all this come about as a result of the accident? I'm not sure but I think that is just the way God made her. There is more to the story and hopefully next posting will bring us up to date on where she is now and what life has been for her since 1980.

Continuation of Saga

2008-08-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

Sharon remained in a coma for about 6 weeks. She was moved from phase one about 10 days after the accident to phase 2. There was absolutely no deliberate response from Sharon to any of our conversation or probing questions. Her eyes were open and she just stared blankly. She never followed any of our movements around the room. Hospital personnel removed the intubation and inserted a trach into her neck. The nurse would come in frequently to suction and it was disturbing to all when they did this. As time went by Sharon continued to fight for her life. Every visit we made we did the best we could to stimulate her to respond. We brought her favorite music (John Denver tapes; Country Home) to play for her and Jim would read scripture to her and explain that God was there and to not be afraid. He took the 23rd. Psalm and explained to Sharon that God was causing her to rest in green pastures. The definition of being in a coma per the hospital was that the patient didn't respond to verbal commands. So far, this was Sharon's condition. After another week or so they moved her to stage 3. This time she was in a room with another patient. I was pretty shocked when I walked into the room that evening after they had moved her to discover that her roomate was a gentleman who was in a sledding accident. Evidently, this was not an issue with the hospital as both Sharon & this man had been severely injured. Charlie Burhman was quite a character. He had facial nerve damage. Jim being the outgoing person that he is went over to his bed to introduce himself. Charlie was propped up with his eyes closed. Jim didn't know what his condition was so he just said hello, I'm Sharon's father, "Charlie lifted his left hand to his forhead and with 2 fingers pulled up his eyelids and then extending his right hand said "glad to meet you, I'm Charlie Burhman". It was in this room that the nurses began sitting Sharon up in a chair. It was like an adult high chair. They would put blocks and rings on the tray to stimulate her mind to respond to verbal commands. So far nothing! One evening while we were there, Charlie had a birthday and birthday cake was being passed around. I had a piece of his cake with yummy icing. As I was sitting next to Sharon getting ready to eat my cake, all of the sudden Sharon reached over and grabbed my cake and started to eat it. I cannot begin to tell you what a thrill that was! I yelled for the nurses to come quickly! They were obviously overjoyed and began the process of removing her trach. It was in this third phase of shock trauma that Sharon slowing began to emerge out of the coma. It was 6 weeks after the accident that the hospital announced that she was being moved to the Walter P. Carter rehabilitation center across the street. Each new change in Sharon's care brought new anxieties to my heart. Questions about the quality of her care constantly plagued me. Sharon was no longer in an acute situation and didn't need the kind of care she had been receiving in Shock Trauma. She needed round the clock nursing care and at the center she began to be integrated into a more normal social experience. It wasn't the most inviting environment to be in but it was where she needed to be at that time. Sharon had a private room and outside this room there was a hallway and across the hallway there was a large room where they would take her for PT, OT and to spend time outside her room. This place unnerved me to some extent as there were all kinds of people there from a toddler who was standing in water in the basement in her house and experienced a severe electrical shock that had caused her brain damage to a young man who was blind and retarded. There were others there but these were the 2 that stand out in my mind. It was there at the WPC center that Sharon began to improve. (to be continued)

The Saga Continues II

2008-08-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday morning Feb. 5, 1980 we woke early and called the hospital to see how Sharon was doing. We had not received a call during the night and this encouraged us to know that our daughter was still alive. However, when we reached the nurse's station they told us she was still in critical condition and not to get our hopes up. Jim had to go to work so I was home alone with our youngest child. I prayed desperately during that time of uncertainty. I remember going into Sharon's room and seeing all of her things. Her dresser with her hairdryer laying there, her brush and various little knick knacks and the tall mirror she would use. I pictured her standing there drying her hair. I fell across her bed and cried. How could it be that just 24 hrs ago she was getting ready for school and so alive and healthy? Oh, God had so much to teach me. Looking back, He cut me gently even though He used my daughter to get through to me. In just a couple of hours I would see God work in a very practical way to let me know that He was with me and aware of the situation with Sharon. After feeding Ben and eating a little something myself, there came a knock at the front door. Two women from my church showed up. Virginia Hart and Judy Haynes came to comfort and console me. They told me to take it easy. They went about cleaning up the kitchen from the night before. The chicken was still in the oven and there were dishes everywhere from my previous preparations for dinner. When we left for the hospital I just turned the oven off and left everything. Virginia started in the kitchen and Judy went into the bathroom. Then they made beds and tidied up everything. I went downstairs to a small office/sewing room that we had and sat there in wonder and cried. God was revealing Himself to me in the care of these women. He knew I needed them (actually it was Him that I needed and He showed up in the presence of these ladies.) Tuesday was the day I normally went to my weekly Bible study so Judy and Virginia both encouraged me to go. Judy went along with me and it was good to be around the other women and share what had happened and what the latest news was about Sharon. The word had gotten around and so many were praying. I later found out that during the actual accident the traffic on Ritchie Hwy was backed up in both directions and a number of people I knew were praying for whoever was in that accident. People were in a restaurant and came out to see what had happened and they started praying. Many kids from Young Life were praying and our brothers and sisters in Christ who had heard the news were praying. Virginia also told me the African children's choir who were visiting Faith church were also praying for Sharon. Lots of voices were being lifted up on her behalf. Our daughter Kellee was away at college and when her professors heard what had happened to her sister they prayed also. Another miraculous provision from the Lord was the man who first responded to Sharon laying in the middle of the highway. His name was John Brandenburg.(He actually was a former ambulance driver.) He saw that Sharon was turning blue and had no pulse. He checked inside her mouth and retrieved a large piece of a pretzel that she had been eating when she was hit. After he pulled it out ( it was lodged in her throat) and gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation he said her pulse came back real strong! Then the paramedics showed up and airlifted her to shock trauma. She was already in a deep coma. I truly believe if John Brandenburg hadn't been there at that time that she would have died or been much worse off. I thought it was a pretty sad testimony from the paramedics when they made little of his efforts. They told us he was pretty excitable and in the way and that he didn't save Sharon's life. God knows who are the real heroes in this case and we believe that Mr. Brandenburg was a heaven sent angel. We still had not been permitted to see our daughter but on the next day we were allowed in the first stage of the trauma unit to see her. She was just a form of the girl whom we loved. Her head was shaved, she was rigid in her form on the bed, her left arm was drawn up next to her chest and her feet and toes were in a pointed position. Her eyes were closed and she made no response to us. She had a cut on the back of her head but otherwise she had no broken bones. ( this was good news because they didn't have to operate to set any fractures and thus cause any more stress on the brain) I will continue the account of this story in my next couple of posts. It happened over 28 years ago, so there is obviously a lifetime of stories to be told but I plan on relating what happened immediately after the accident and how the next few years progressed. So, for today this is enough.

Saga continues

2008-08-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

As we drove into Baltimore city we followed the signs to Shock Trauma. Our hearts were beating wildly, not knowing the condition we might find our daughter. We finally arrived at the UMD hospital in Baltimore, a huge teaching institution. Not knowing where to go to find our daughter, we found ourselves in the back of the hospital in what looked liked a loading dock area with a dumpster. We entered through a door and told someone that we were there to see our daughter. Actually, the hospital did not know who Sharon was as she was brought in with no identification. We had to describe her and then we remembered a ring on her finger and that was significant in helping us to identify her. While we waited for the woman to call upstairs to where Shock Trauma was located I noticed the cement walls surrounding us. It looked like a morgue. Eventually they led us to a waiting area where we were able to sit down. It's been over 28 years ago since all this happened so my mind is a little foggy even as it was then. The doctor began to explain to us the kind of injury that Sharon had sustained as being critical. She had a severe closed head injury. The brain had hit against her skull in what they called coup and re-coup. It meant that the brain was severely bruised and was swelling and they needed our permission to relieve the pressure with a type of shunt. They would not allow us to see our daughter at this time and they gave us a number to call to check on her condition. They were not sure she would live through the night. While we were there at the hospital a number of people came, friends to sit with us and console us. I think one of the reasons that they call it Shock Trauma is that the family members are in total shock over what has happened to their loved one. My tears were being held in check, very close to spilling out and my emotions were exploding inside. Why, why, why did this happen to Sharon? She was a happy, young teenage girl with her life before her. She never hurt anyone and certainly because of some learning disabilities had received her share of affliction. She was in a 10th grade special education class in her second semester at Glen Burnie High and per her teacher was doing well and would probably be mainstreamed into regular classes in the near future. A parent feels such loss when their child is struck down and is made to lie in green pastures. The total picture of where she was at this time did not hit me all at once. (thank God for that) We left the hospital and as we travelled out of the inner city my feelings in leaving my daughter there in the big city at the big hospital were overwhelming. I kept looking back and could see the hospital's outline on the cities horizon and I felt such sadness. The Bible says that we do not know what a day may bring forth and that was certainly true here. The night before Sharon's accident, my husband and I had a small argument over something and Sharon had called from her room for us to stop fighting! We lowered our voices and the next morning before she went to school I had a chance to tell her that everything was ok and at times parents argue but they still loved each other. I am so glad I had said that to her or it would have been an added burden on my conscience. We arrived at home and picked up our 5yr. old. I honestly cannot remember what we said to him about what had happened to his sister. My mind has blocked out so much during those initial hours. I do remember sitting in the living room with Fred Kornis a dear friend and evangelist. He shared scripture with us and we prayed together. There came a knock at the door and it was the paramedics. They stopped by to offer their sorrow over our child's accident and to give us Sharon's shoes and a necklace. They told us the impact was so hard she was knocked out of her shoes, which were not flip flops, but brown tie shoes. This knowledge only added to my despair. Now the scripture that Fred shared was this: Psalms 46. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. Now here is the part that struck me. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. To my simple way of thinking, I felt hope that God was definitely going to help her early the next morning. We went to bed with anxious hearts only being able to sleep fitfully thinking the phone might ring. We also found out a little later that our former Pastor, Dr. Peper was able to get in to see her and pray for her. This was a blessing to us. (to be continued)

February 4, 1980 ( Another Monday)

2008-07-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

It was a cold, sunshiny wintry day as our vibrant, beautiful 15 yr. old left for school.

It seems to me that it was only a year before that Sharon had brought home a book for me to read that she had purchased at a book fair at her junior high school. As I look back over the years I have a much clearer vision of why she had given me this particular book. At the time it looked to be another interesting story about a girl named Sharon who was 15 yrs. old and who had made a miraculous recovery from an auto accident where she had sustained a severe head injury. I believe our daughter bought this book because she identified with the girls name being Sharon and their age was about the same. Little did I know it would be about one year later that my own daughter would be going through an identical head trauma very similar to the story I had read and Sharon would have now turned 15. By the way, the name of the book is, "There Is Hope" by her mother Lucille Glaeser.

My husband was home at the time I got the fateful phone call. We had been busy preparing to have a Young Life meeting/Bible Study at our home that evening and I was getting dinner ready. The chicken was in the oven and I was peeling potatoes. Earlier in the afternoon I had received a call from Sharon asking me to pick her up. She was staying after to help coach a girls running team. Sadly to say I told her no that she would have to find a ride home. I don't know why (looking back) I couldn't have stopped for 15 min and gone and picked her up but I was busy with what I was doing. She said ok. Around 4:45pm I looked at the clock and realized that she hadn't come home yet. There was a little alarm that had gone off in my mind at the time. I felt a little uneasy when I realized that she should have been home by now. Then the phone call came that changed our lives. Bob from Young Life called and asked me if I had heard anything about Sharon being in an accident? "No I hadn't, what do you mean?" He tried to avoid telling me what he had heard but I insisted he tell me why he had asked that question. That's when he said that he had heard that she had been hit by a car on Ritchie Hwy and they had taken her to the hospital. He wasn't sure if this was correct so that is why he hesitated. After I hung up I went into fast motion. My husband was out back cutting wood and as I came out of the house in a frenzy trying to tell him what I knew he immediately got me into the car. We stopped next door and asked our neighbor if they could watch our 5 yr. old son while we ran down to the local hospital. As we arrived at North Arundel emergency room there were two paramedics coming out. They approached us and asked us if we were the Brackett's. After identifying ourselves they then told us the dreadful news that Sharon had been airlifted to Shock Trauma at the University of MD hospital in Baltimore. We knew then that this was serious. (to be continued)

Nathan's Grad 2008

2008-07-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Nathan's grad. 2008
4th of July 2008

Our recent rains have made the beginning of July, wet and much cooler. It was so nice to take my morning walk with a cool breeze and overcast sky. I love it when it rains and the winds blow. I had to move a small turtle out of the road and onto the grass as I was coming back. He hid in his shell when I picked him up and wouldn't come back out while I watched. This might sound like I'm tempting the Lord, but I love to experience God's mighty power in the weather. Of course, when the lightening is getting close and streaks across the sky, I run into the house! I'm putting out a few pictures of some recent special occasions in our family for you to enjoy!

4th of July 2008

Katy @ JAARS

During prayer at Jon's church in Boone

Helplessly furious!

2008-07-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

California judges have gone too far. Now they want to curtail homeschooling in their state to only those who have teaching certificates. Someone should take a poll of all the homeschoolers who have graduated with excellent grades and gone on to college and great careers. Yes there have been a few who have turned out badly but compare that to the number of public schooled kids who have turned out poorly. I'll just bet that homeschooled kids have a lot more initiative and ingenuity than those who were educated otherwise. Homeschool curriculum is available in many formats and is created and designed by professionals in the field who are aware of how kids learn best. The children receive one on one attention of a parent or other interested third party. They are tested by their respective state board exams and have proven tract records of being high achievers. America needs to wake up and smell the roses! While I'm at it, do not let California lead the way in re-defining marriage. Marriage is and has always been a union between a man and a woman who have made a public commitment of sacred vows. Yes there are failures but through the test of years marriage has worked as the foundation for raising a family. If we would be loyal to each other and work through our differences and quit messing around their would be fewer divorces.

4th of July 2008 prayer

2008-07-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

A Prayer for America's Birthday:
Oh Lord, it is reason to celebrate our freedoms here but it is so sad to see the direction our country has taken. This downward spiral will most surely lead to a collapse of our nation eventually. From the inside to the out, we have despised your word to us. We have climbed the ladder to become the greatest nation in the world. Our gov't was formed by men who acknowledged their dependence on you and so they wrote our Constitution and established this great republic. We became known throughout the world for our freedoms. Our laws were based on Your Law. Now, Oh God, just look at where we are! We are a shameful people enslaved, in bondage to our own sin and moral corruption. Your children have allowed this to happen and over time we have become de-sensitized to our own involvement in this way of life. We are a society of ease, want it now, I deserve it, it's mine, know one will be hurt by my choices and on and on it goes. We call good evil and evil good. Marriage is being redefined, abortion is still legal, give me my wishes. Lord, you know where we are headed, you know the future and who our next President is going to be. You are able to direct the heart of the King so I believe whoever is elected you will be able to accomplish your will. I am only one person lifting up and acknowledging my own sinfulness to you. Cleanse my heart, mind and soul today. Have mercy on me Oh Lord. Look upon my children and grandchildren even as Job prayed for his family I pray for mine. That they might walk with you and honor you in all their ways and that they would teach their generation the fear of the Lord. I don't know how long America can survive in the way we are going, but help your people to awaken and get active in pursuing righteousness. Help us to be strong in what we hold dear and to be obedient to you. We need a miracle of your healing grace. America has been known as a free republic, a God fearing Judeo/Christian nation, apple pie and Cheverolet. Yet we've become so lax, so wasteful and prideful. Help us from this day forward to be different, bold in our faith and true to You. Lord Jesus, be magnified in me today. Show me Lord my way. In the most Powerful Name of Jesus I pray. Your daughter, Janice