Another Day to Remember: Words from Garrett
Another Day Along the Way
Friday, March 06, 2009
Another day,
A friend asked me what I remember about thirteen years ago. I said, "Enough." Their question was related to the illness which changed my life; their question reminded me that today is the anniversary. Since I've written "enough" about that experience, I'll let my friend write about his recent experience. Here is Garrett's story:
I can still hear Walter Cronkite's resounding voice announcing the opening lines from an old television program: "All things are as they were then, except, YOU are there!" Chris Maxwell's life unexpectedly changed on March 6, 1996 and I was there. I didn't realize my life changed unexpectedly, too.
The change I remember most vividly was actually a good one. For what seemed like an eternity, Chris could remember lots of things about me, good and bad, but he couldn't remember my name. I came home from work one day and pressed the button to listen to the message (that was back before they were "voicemails"). I heard an excited, though tearful, voice exclaiming, "Your name is Garrett! You are married to Andrea! I remembered! I remembered!"
I cried, too.
Two weeks ago today my life, again, changed.
A little before midnight on February 20th, my mom died. Around eight o'clock that evening my dad called and said he was headed back to Kendal, the assisted living facility, because he had gotten "the call": they didn't expect my mom to live much longer. From then on, I took the cordless phone with me wherever I was in and around the house. Sometime before midnight I finally fell asleep. When the phone finally rang, right after midnight, I sat bolt-upright and scrambled to get to the phone. In the process, I tripped on the corner of the bed, fell and got a carpet burn on my knee. If it wasn't such a somber moment, it would have been hilarious. I heard my dad's broken voice and tears, but he had to hand the phone to my Aunt Ocie who told me my mom had died.
I cried, too.
After his "illness," Chris shed more tears than I have ever seen him cry. But if you were to ask Chris' doctors how he is doing, I'm sure they would say, "Better than I ever expected."
Now when people ask me how I'm doing I tell them, "better than I expected" and "I haven't cried as much as I thought I would."
But I know, I haven't cried as much as I'm going to.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Painful Surrender: All people battle weaknesses. We all, though, can find ways to face our facts and improve ourselves. Are you aware of your own battles? Are you adapting and adjusting, or denying and refusing to refocus? (Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy)
(Garrett Bain is an Emmanuel College graduate and lives in Orlando, FL - but he would love to sell you his house so his family can move to VA. He is a husband, father, step-father, gardener and beekeeper. He also believes listening to Merle Haggard and David Wilcox can be borderline religious experiences. That alone probably qualifies him to be Chris Maxwell's friend. Read about Chris Maxwell's life-changing experience in his book, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy.)
Friday, March 06, 2009
Another day,
A friend asked me what I remember about thirteen years ago. I said, "Enough." Their question was related to the illness which changed my life; their question reminded me that today is the anniversary. Since I've written "enough" about that experience, I'll let my friend write about his recent experience. Here is Garrett's story:
I can still hear Walter Cronkite's resounding voice announcing the opening lines from an old television program: "All things are as they were then, except, YOU are there!" Chris Maxwell's life unexpectedly changed on March 6, 1996 and I was there. I didn't realize my life changed unexpectedly, too.
The change I remember most vividly was actually a good one. For what seemed like an eternity, Chris could remember lots of things about me, good and bad, but he couldn't remember my name. I came home from work one day and pressed the button to listen to the message (that was back before they were "voicemails"). I heard an excited, though tearful, voice exclaiming, "Your name is Garrett! You are married to Andrea! I remembered! I remembered!"
I cried, too.
Two weeks ago today my life, again, changed.
A little before midnight on February 20th, my mom died. Around eight o'clock that evening my dad called and said he was headed back to Kendal, the assisted living facility, because he had gotten "the call": they didn't expect my mom to live much longer. From then on, I took the cordless phone with me wherever I was in and around the house. Sometime before midnight I finally fell asleep. When the phone finally rang, right after midnight, I sat bolt-upright and scrambled to get to the phone. In the process, I tripped on the corner of the bed, fell and got a carpet burn on my knee. If it wasn't such a somber moment, it would have been hilarious. I heard my dad's broken voice and tears, but he had to hand the phone to my Aunt Ocie who told me my mom had died.
I cried, too.
After his "illness," Chris shed more tears than I have ever seen him cry. But if you were to ask Chris' doctors how he is doing, I'm sure they would say, "Better than I ever expected."
Now when people ask me how I'm doing I tell them, "better than I expected" and "I haven't cried as much as I thought I would."
But I know, I haven't cried as much as I'm going to.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Painful Surrender: All people battle weaknesses. We all, though, can find ways to face our facts and improve ourselves. Are you aware of your own battles? Are you adapting and adjusting, or denying and refusing to refocus? (Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy)
(Garrett Bain is an Emmanuel College graduate and lives in Orlando, FL - but he would love to sell you his house so his family can move to VA. He is a husband, father, step-father, gardener and beekeeper. He also believes listening to Merle Haggard and David Wilcox can be borderline religious experiences. That alone probably qualifies him to be Chris Maxwell's friend. Read about Chris Maxwell's life-changing experience in his book, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy.)
7 Comments:
I didn't know you then and maybe I am glad because I would not want you to forget my name. I am sorry that you had to go through that and now live with the effects but I can't help but wonder how many people you have helped 'along the way' because of it.'
Everyone recalls significant events that become markers on the journey. Sights, sounds, and the smallest details take us back like a personal time machine.
I think many people endure the painful memories in solitude and silence, believing that nobody understands. By sharing our own journeys, we break down walls of isolation and hopelessness.
Thanks for the model of service offered by you and your friends, for being vulnerable, for sharing your own painful images to help others face theirs.
CMax,
You again bring words I need. I knew the old you. I knew the new you. I like both! Thanks for not giving up on me.
B
Chris, I do not know you, but I DO know Garrett. And I'm SURE you're life, as is mine, is richer because we REMEMBER his name! LOL
I knew God would get Garrett thru this difficult time. Garrett is a wonderful man and he is always in my thoughts.
Denise
I remember when I came to speak in your church. When you picked me up you asked your assistant what my name was just before you stepped out of the van. Since then we have forged a great friendship and you have helped me in my times of need, just like anyone who is striving to be like Jesus should.
Hey Chris: I have know you since I was 16 and remeber you before and after and both Chris's have touched and help change my mind and life forever. God used you so much to change so many peoples lives. I will never forget the day that I got the phone call that you were in the hospital and that it was serious. I fell to my knees and prayed for you and I remember God giving me an image of you laying in the palm of his hand and I knew that you would be ok. I am so in awe of what God has done in your life! You are an insperation. Thank you for caring and loving people!
I still think you do too much. But I know what you'd say to me about that. You don't want to waste all your chances to make a difference. Just be careful. Thanks CMax.
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