Chapter
36

That first year after the accident the church stepped up in a big way as we approached major events through the year. As mentioned, they were always coming at us with meals, cards, and prayers, but at pivotal times they would even step it up to the extreme. They were so tender with us that first Christmas. Then on Jackson’s birthday on February 28th, they knew this would be an extremely grueling day. In 1999, that day fell on a Sunday. After church services, a huge group of people gathered with us and released close to a hundred balloons into the sky in Jackson’s “memory.” I should point out that Elna and I couldn’t stand that phrase of “in memory of.” So, we changed that phrase from the start. Instead, we used the phrase “in sweet anticipation of.”

 

The one-year anniversary of the accident was approaching. Alex received a follow up CT scan to evaluate the skull fracture that she had sustained during the accident. Again, we were surrounded by the Body of Christ. Ann Rich was the tech taking care of Alex during that scan. She was a good friend of Elna and mine from FBC. Ann loved on Alex with such sweetness during that scary time.

 

Then the big day came around. July 10th. One year after the accident. We could count on it being a very tough day. It had been a tough year for our family, especially for Alex. If we let ourselves wallow in the negativity of the day, we would be drowning in depression. Therefore, we focused on the enormous blessing that Alex had also been in that same accident and had made a full and complete recovery. In fact, we decided to give July 10th a name. We called it “Alex Dease Day.” We focused our attention on the fact that we were blessed to have Jackson in Heaven and to have Alex remain with us. Alex’s birthday would now be dwarfed in a new celebration. Alex was showered with gifts, balloons, and a cake. Afterall, it was a day to celebrate “Alex Dease Day.” As the years passed and both Grace and Hope were born into our family, we decided to change the name and celebrate the blessings of all of our children on July 10th. Therefore, the day is now known as Dease Darling Day.

 

1 Samuel 2 New International Version

Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
   in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
   for I delight in your deliverance.

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
   there is no one besides you;
   there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
   or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
   and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
   but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
   but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
   but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
   he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
   he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
   and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
   and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
   on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
   but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
   the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
   and exalt the horn of his anointed.”