A Bad Dream

I was in Nashville this past weekend for my TN Council meeting on Friday. Just as I was leaving Jennifer and some friends at Cracker Barrel on Saturday to come home, Steve sent me a message saying that Brad and two of his friends were "jumped" on Friday night around midnight by a gang of four Asian guys. (Brad is our son at Virginia Tech.) Brad had called Steve on Saturday morning around 4:45 a.m. from the ER. I got more details when I got home. Apparently they were outnumbered and tried to fight them off. Brad was beat up, thrown on the ground, kicked in the face, and his head was stomped on. The next thing Brad remembers was waking up with people all around him and he was being lifted in the ambulance. His injuries were serious enough that the hospital did an MRI and CAT scan. The doctors were worried about his neck. He did have a concussion and has staples in his head and it hurts. Brad's friend, Eric, has a broken cheekbone (and will probably need surgery). The third friend was not hurt because he got away so it was four guys beating up two. . . God truly was watching over Brad and his friends that night. There were no wallets or items of any value taken. This gang apparently picked Brad and his friends at random and just wanted to hurt someone. The four guys ran from the scene on foot and left their car behind. They will at least find the driver (that is, if it isn't a stolen car). Steve did talk with the police officer in charge of the case late Saturday night and was told that the attackers' car was impounded. They do have some leads and we were given the impression that there will be arrests soon. This random and senseless attack on Brad and his friends happened near their apartment complex as they were walking home from another friend's house. I will be there in a heartbeat. . . all Brad has to do is say the word but he says he is okay for now. His girlfriend and roommates are taking care of him.

I did hear from Brad this morning. He has a headache and a black eye and his teeth hurt. He dreads going to classes this week because everyone will be asking him the same questions. His staples will come out at the end of the week. His girlfriend has made mashed potatoes for him and is bringing him applesauce and pudding so he can eat.

To make matters worse, Chris' puppy, Brutus, was hit by a truck Saturday morning in front of our house. He was only outside for 30 seconds and was run over by a woman who does not even live back here. (We live on a dead end circle and there is very little traffic.) Brutus was Chris' buddy and he is just absolutely devastated. He says he loses everything he loves. I received a text message on my phone from Chris when I was halfway home telling me he had just buried Brutus behind the shed. The tears started rolling down my cheeks as I was driving and I couldn't make them stop. I pulled over to the side of the road several times on the way home. . .when my children hurt, I hurt, too. . . . But, I did make it home. Brutus was such a good puppy and had bonded so well with Chris. He knew Chris was his master. He would wait by the door for Chris to come home from work and they would lay on the kitchen floor together, playing and snuggling every day. Chris is hurting over the loss of Brutus.

Brutus was my buddy, too. My walk these last two mornings have not been the same without Brutus carrying the leash in his mouth, leading the way. He had greatness in him and would have been a wonderful dog.

Steve left on Sunday for Poland. . .I did have a good time in Nashville with family and friends and was warmly welcomed to the TN Council for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. I am still processing all the information from the meeting. . . there is much to do! But, I know I am in the right place and hopefully will be able to make a difference.

Thank you to all of you for your comments, thoughts, & prayers. Every day won't be a good day but every day can be a "God" day.