Chapter
1
Who Is Your Leader?
One of many observations after the accident.
The journey with angels, and Messages from angels.
Then, flashes back to establish history before the accident
Chapter
2
The Accident
Early morning in November 1989
Recounts accident on a cold, dark highway.
No less than nine miracles unfolded in the proper order, for me to
be alive today.
Chapter
3
My Body Healed Long Before My Soul
The Emergency Room at the first of three hospitals
Later that morning-my family's turmoil.
Chapter
4
Separate the Sin from the Sinner
Flashes back to present, and observations and thoughts
I could not explain at that time. A revised focus.
Chapter
5
If I Could Only Wake-Up
After being airlifted to a second hospital,
What my wife found lying in a hospital bed…
with tubes coming from everywhere
At this point, my family had to look up to see the bottom.
November 25, 1989
Chapter
6
Being Focused
My father's role at the hospital, and his thoughts after the
accident
December 1-5.
Chapter
7
When "Has" becomes Past Tense
My daughter sings to me while teary-eyed, but
I can't hear her. I do not even appear to know she is there.
December 7-8.
At this point in time, if I had not recovered satisfactorily by
the end of April, 1990, I would be discharged to a nursing
home, very possibly for the rest of my life.
Chapter
8
If Only…
After recovery, a tribute to my four year-old daughter's courage,
and my appreciation of blessings that were previously overlooked.
Chapter
9
Transfer back to Aberdeen, South Dakota
My condition after a month, upon transfer to a third hospital
Chest restraints, and a mitten so I can't pull out the tubes from
my body.
December 11.
Chapter
10
Numbers Change
Transfer to a Rehabilitation Unit. Still in a coma, but the
uphill journey begins. My wife's only wish for Christmases in the
future, is just to be able to talk to her, "That would be
enough."
December 18-22.
Chapter
11
Much Like a Pencil Eraser…
Christmas Eve, 1989, alone with my father in the third hospital
The only gift I could offer to my family-I did have the ability to
swallow.
Chapter
12
All Energy is Derived from the Son
Remembering so much more than I wish to remember
Sorting it all out-What does this all mean?
A "cage of pillows" for a hospital bed.
December 29.
Chapter
13
We Have Reclaimed the Colors
More observations after my accident
The beginning of speech
Additional
note:
Each chapter documents many other thoughts both before and after
this accident.
Thank
you.
-J. Allen Jahnig |
 TOP
TOP
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Chapter
14
"Had it Been Better, if I Hadn't Made It?"
Needing a wheelchair, moving my right arm
Showing promise that someday I may walk again
January 4-8, 1990
Chapter
15
Not Losing Sight
Becoming more mobile
A walker, then a large, 4-tipped cane with supervision
January 9-17.
Chapter
16
I Was Not Trying Hard Enough
(by my standards)
Being held up to parallel bars, unable to hold on.
Like a whirlwind, learning to hold a pen again. Up to 133 pounds.
A day-pass to my home. Instructions were that "he must not be
left alone."
Difficulty getting dressed
January 18.
Chapter
17
Proud, Fair, Memories
Memories, new observations, and blessings
Chapter
18
Humbleness Deserves Respect (-Editor)
Among feelings, "Please do not bury me with any more than the
clothes on the cadaver. No rings, no watch, no jewelry of any kind…."
Testing my memory, shakes in my hand, and writing in my personal
log, (-it was illegible)
January 19-21.
Chapter
19
One Can Only Look Back,
If One Wishes to Thank
Using my right hand was painful.. I tried to overlook the pain,
because the pain was my friend. Because with the pain, I knew that
my hand was still there.
Observations of my children. My infant son and I both wore
diapers.
Will this finally be my last bed wetting?
January 23-28.
Chapter
20
We Survive
Bending my knee…more pain.
Daring myself to shower. What we can learn from prairie dogs.
January 29-31.
Chapter
21
God Brings Focused Independence
Walking with cane, no supervision around my hospital room
Stairs? The promise from my physical therapist.
February 1.
Chapter
22
Never Dismiss Because not Visible, Nor Felt
The 'rubber chicken incident' -example that despite of it all, I
was still willing to smile at life.
My wife tells me that even if I can not recover any more than
right now, -that's OK with her. She couldn't ask for more.
February 3-8.
Chapter
23
Needs, Not Wants, Will Be Met
God's miracles of moving the discharge date closer, twice.
An overnight pass to my home.
From the third hospital, discharged to my home, after only 83 days
of hospitalization.
February 10-14, 1990.
Chapter
24
The River Still Flows
The aftermath of discharge-real life, and-having to prove myself
to everyone all over again
Chapter
25
The Lord Will Decide
Additional proofs to me that there really is a God
Observations-putting it all together.
Chapter
26
Truly A Miracle
Looking back to thank, and why I am doing this.
A humbled man, previously proud of distancing himself from
a possible God, finally gives into a "voice" from afar,
and reads a Bible for the first time. I found 114 answers to what
happened. -All the pieces fit into place. I now know God is
in control of my life.
Closes with yet another observation after the accident from a
summer day in the Black Hills of South Dakota..
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