Remembering . . .
Recalling Wonders of Me
by
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Chapter 3
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such with a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NKJV)
Since Natalie arrived on campus earlier than expected, she decided to relax a little bit longer, before she called Kim. She could use this quiet time to try and remember more of her past. She thought, Maybe, if I work backward, starting with the accident, I can put the missing pieces of my life puzzle together.
She vaguely remembered waking up in a hospital bed with her head in bandages and her leg in a cast. She remembered thinking, What happened, and why am I in this bed? She recalled screaming for her mom. The excruciating pain in her leg, she remembered well. She needed pain meds and some answers quick! The doctor tried to calm her and motioned for the nurse to help. He explained, she had been injured in a car accident, but that she was going to be okay. “Jesus,” she said, and quickly descended into a drug-induced sleep.
About four hours later, Natalie awoke. Aunt Katherine was holding her hand. Uncle Will bent down to kiss her on the forehead. He said, “Welcome back, Nat.” A doctor, a nurse, and Kim stood close to her bedside. Bewildered, she asked, “Where’s Mom? Where is Daddy? Why aren’t they here? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” She began to panic and tears swelled up in her eyes. She remembered her head was hurting, and the stabbing-hot pain in her leg was almost unbearable.
The concerned look on Aunt Kathrine’s face told her something was dreadfully wrong. Then she knew. Suddenly, she remembered being in the back seat of her parents’ car. She saw a big truck crossing into their lane. In a quick flashback, she heard her mom scream, “Jesus!” She heard sounds of crunching glass and metal. She caught a quick glimpse of a man peering into the car window. He said something, and disappeared. Natalie also disappeared into a deep-black coma.
Aunt Katherine held Natalie tightly as she began to tell her about the accident. She explained tenderly that her parents had been killed instantly in the crash. She told Natalie that her right femur was broken, and her leg was in a plaster cast. She added, that she had a brain injury, due to a hard hit on her head. She had been in a coma for almost two months. Aunt Kathrine assured Natalie she was going to recover from all her injuries, but it would take time before she could walk again.
Natalie hugged her aunt tightly, as she tried to make sense of it all. She began to sob uncontrollably. Her soul ached with pain so devastating she could hardly catch a breath. Pain, like none she could ever remember, gripped her body, soul, and spirit. She began replaying the accident in her mind. Over and over, she heard her mother’s last word, “Jesus.” The reality of her parents’ death began to sink in. Sobbing hysterically, she exclaimed, “I don’t want to live either! Why didn’t I die too? I can’t live without Mom and Daddy! I just want to die! I cannot go on without them!”
Through all her sobbing and grieving, she heard a tender voice speaking to her spirit man. The voice said, “Yes, you can. I-AM is here. I will sing sweet lullabies over you while you sleep, just like your Mom did when you were a baby. Rest and be healed.” She saw her nurse insert a needle into her IV. Immediately, she became drowsy. Just before she dropped into a deep sleep, she saw a red rose, in a small crystal vase, sitting on a table at the end of her bed. She felt Aunt Katherine squeezing her hand. She was softly praying, “Jesus, help this child.” And, He did.
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About the Book
Remembering . . . is a story about a teenage girl who lost her memory due to a brain injury sustained in a hit-and-run car accident. Her parents were instantly killed in the crash. The culprits who caused the accident cannot be found. There is evidence the accident was intentional. The accident scene may be better described as a murder scene.
Grieving her parents’ death is overwhelming. She wants to die. To encourage her, a mystery person leaves a rose in unique places for her to find. She is totally surprise when the person is revealed.
Some of her memory is gradually restored. She recalls fun-filled childhood days. She cannot remember her teenage years. Regardless of challenges and advice by doctors, she begins her first year of college. As her journey unfolds, she experiences the joys of romance, new friends, and recalling the wonders of her past.
About the Author
Joyce McK-Hammers was born and raised in western Kentucky. She attended Bowling Green College of Commerce, Murray State University, and Austin Peay University. She has an Associate Degree in Business Education.
She is author of the children’s book series, The Adventures of Jake the Snake. Jake’s first adventure, Case of the Missing Eggs, is scheduled for release soon. She also writes lyrics, poems, and daily devotions, which she plans to incorporate in a book for publication.
She has ministered, as a volunteer, in church children and youth programs for over fifty years. She currently enjoys serving as the Student Intercessory Prayer Leader, helping with the middle-school choir, assisting with the performing arts ministry, and singing in the choir at Abba’s House, Hixson, Tennessee.
She is a seasoned traveler and has vacationed in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Israel, Jordon, Mexico and Canada.
She has four children, thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She and her husband, Lewis, live in Lakesite, Tennessee, a suburb of Chattanooga, Tennessee.