In Memory of Cassandra Yazzie-Hotchkiss

You can’t possibly know how much your prayers and love and letters have kept us all going and brought about miraculous healing and strength in the children. As I struggle to understand and find faith, it is the kindness of strangers and so many loved ones that override my skepticism, sadness, and discouragement. Your cards, emails, financial help, and incredibly thoughtful gifts for the children bring tears to our eyes and welcome comfort to our hearts.

This afternoon, one of the assistant coaches of the Fort Lewis men’s soccer team brought by a jersey for each of the kids signed by the entire team. Fort Lewis is ranked #1 nationally in the second division and will be playing in the finals on Sunday – I think it will be broadcast on CBS College Live. Yesterday, about half of the Riverdance dancers came through the hospital and gave the kids a poster signed by the entire company. There has also been a pretty steady stream of very well behaved volunteer dogs that come in and sit with the kids. And Ronald MacDonald House continues to provide comfortable, loving accommodations and a delicious turkey dinner. Several of the kids’ friends and teachers from school have come from Durango to visit and wonderful handmade cards from school friends fill the children’s rooms. One little 12 year old girl, Missy, a classmate of Noah’s, bravely walked into Noah’s room this evening and announced “I just just came to tell you, Noah, that we all miss you very much.”

Amada has been navigating with her new wheelchair and is ready to be discharged tomorrow. Her broken arm and leg are on opposite sides, so she will be on wheels for a while. My husband, Sam, has been at home getting our house ready for her to get around easily, and Amada and I have been practicing transfers and wheelchair logistics with the physical therapists. Amada is a little anxious about getting back into a car and being so far from her parents and brothers, but we will hang around until Monday and then get her comfortable at home until everyone else can come home.

Dante has made the most miraculous progress. He has periods of wakefulness and clearly responds to his gramma’s questions and requests. The MRI shows very limited brain damage in his lateral vision and possibly some learning problems, but no pervasive issues- if you could have seen him a week ago, you too would believe in miracles. They are hoping to remove the breathing tubes in the next day or two and have increased independence and wakefulness.

Noah is still struggling with a lot of back pain, but has extended periods of peacefulness. With the help of a back brace, he was able to sit up in a wheelchair and actually get out of the room for a ride around the floor. It was exhausting, but brought many tears of joy from family and nursing staff alike. He has been so brave and strong and it has been a very rough few days. I am so proud of my little knight. Did I mention before that it was Noah who called 911 from the accident?

It helps us all to have Rachel and her sweet family up here to help – Rachel is just finishing her nursing education and is not only going to be an incredible nurse, but gives us all such strength and wisdom as we pull together. It will be so good to have Sam and Becky waiting for us in Durango, though as you can imagine, it is hard to leave Jason and Noah and Dante. I am praying that they will all be home soon.

Jason is hanging in there with such love and courage that it astounds and sustains us all. I know that it is your love and prayers that are helping him through each day. As a mother and grandmother, I cannot thank you enough.

Thanks for listening – my nightly emails brings some closure to the day and helps me focus on the baby steps that keep us moving forward. Please keep the prayers, love, and communication coming. It really means a lot to all of us.

Love, Carol