For Dennis

It's been 36 days since we've seen his smile, the one that pops a dimple and lights a room. Six weeks since Cearra has talked and laughed with her best friend. A month and a half since Dennis fell and so many dreams shattered.

We get through each day as best we can. Cearra spending every spare minute by his side; Bob working long hours out of town during the company's busiest season; Owen and I going to school and t-ball, doing homework and running errands. We search for light as we stubble through the dark and continue to count our blessings among the shards.

The medical facts are clear: severe Traumatic Brian Injury. Damage to the frontal lobe, the brain's control center for motor functions, higher order functions, planning, reasoning, judgement, impulse control, memory. We know life will be forever different; we know recovery is a road that stretches far into the future.

Each day we seek out and celebrate small victories. No infections. Good vital signs. Purposeful responses. We wait for him to wake, and finally, Cearra is there when one eye opens; a third of the way, for a few moments. Dennis is emerging from the coma and we whoop with relief and stay alert for more signs.

So many friends and family have joined us in lifting him in prayer. We covet each one. We know God is working and while we don't know yet how, or why, or when, we know all will be as He planned it. Bob and I will always protect Cearra as best we can, and love and support her unconditionally. And we will not give up on being whole again.

On her own, Cearra created a fund raising site for Dennis. His ongoing bills will be immense; already we have wiped out a savings account to bring him home. To my beautiful friends and family who have already donated, my words of thanks are not enough to show you how much I appreciate your generosity. If you wish to donate, please visit the site here.

But even more, I ask that you please continue to pray for us all.