Things Will Be OK

My appearance yesterday on “Good Things Utah” went well. Television appearances are always a little stressful (although I’m much more comfortable with them now than I was years ago!), but I enjoy them and I love talking about Stampin’ Up! and sharing creative ideas with people.

Everyone loved the Spooky Spider jar, and they made me promise to come back and show how to do the adorable advent calendar that Jill demonstrated at convention.

After the appearance I grabbed a quick lunch with Sage and Shalae; we met at Gardner Village, one of our favorite places to shop. It’s an historic old flour mill that’s been remade into a wonderful restaurant surrounded by restored cabins and buildings that house boutique stores. Love it! We could spend hours there strolling though all the shops. Unfortunately we didn’t have that kind of time yesterday, because I had meetings back at Stampin’ Up!, but lunch with the girls (and Jason and Kona, who had invited themselves at the last minute) was great.

On my way back to work, I got a call from my brother, who had spent the last nine days on the Bonneville Salt Flats here in Utah helping my crazy father try to break a speed record. Well, he broke the record—but in the process, his car caught fire and Kurtis called to tell me they were flying my dad by helicopter to the local burn unit at the University of Utah Hospital.

Needless to say, my plans changed abruptly; I headed for the hospital, where I spent the rest of the day and much of the night with my dad. As I drove to the hospital I knew in my heart Dad would be ok—and if he wasn’t, well, I still knew things would be ok.

Thankfully, I’m happy to report Dad will be fine. He has 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands and face, but it appears he’ll be able to recover quickly and completely. The hours I spent with him in the hospital, rubbing his feet, whispering quietly that I loved him, and gently placing a cool, damp cloth on his forehead reminded me that we are all here for one reason, and one reason only—to love and care for others.

I left the hospital this morning to head to our first regional of the year—Kansas City—and I would never have left if I was worried at all. I wish I could be there with him, but he’s surrounded by other loved ones, and that’s the first place I’ll head when my plane lands in Utah on Sunday morning. And in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy every moment with my friends in Kansas!

Comments

[Karen Ewert]

Your post made me cry...thank you for the reminder that we are all here to love and serve others...it is so true...thank you for living that truth! You are an amazing lady! I am glad your dad is on the path to healing.
Karen

[Teresa]

My prayers are with your family and your family. Here's to a speedy recovery with no long-lasting damage. Please keep up updated on when he gets better and gets to go home!

Teresa (WA)

[Darrah]

I am sending loving, healing thoughts to both of you. Your dad has a long road of healing in front of him, but it is great that he is going to be okay.
Now he will need all his strength to remember to follow the doctor's orders, and you all will need all of your strength to remember that Dad isn't really trying to drive you crazy.
It is wonderful that you have a close family that can face this together, and know the future really will be better.
And wow - congratulations on the record! My dad was not healthy enough to go on his dream race, and the rest of us regret we did not support him. Your dad actually lived the dream!

[Sue Brauer]

I'm glad your dad is going to be okay. That's sounded like a pretty scary scenario. So I've stopped this very moment and said a quiet prayer at my computer keyboard. God bless you both.

[Karine Bailey]

Sending fast recovery wishes and prayers to your father!!

[Sarah Kirk]

Oh, Shelli,
I'm so glad to hear that your Dad is ok! I hope that teaches him a lesson! Well...Boy's will be Boy's I guess! You give him a hug for me and tell him the there are demonstrators praying for him to heal fast! God is good at that healin' stuff! Amen! Have fun in Kansas at Regonials. And Hey...do you think you could bring a regonal to Washington State sometime soon??? God bless you.

Sarah Kirk

[Sharon Bridwell]

Shelli, your Dad and the family are in my prayers. I'm so thankful that he will be ok! I know you'll feel the love surrounding you at the Kansas City regional. Have a wonderful weekend (I'd say restful but I know when a SU event is involved there is no rest!)
Sharon

[Jenn Vander Wekken]

I was sorry to hear about your father's burn. I understand as my nephew was badly burned in a fire four years this week. It's a bumpy road to recovery but will be easier since he is surrounded by loved ones.

[Sherri Mallory]

Your dad will be in my prayers...so glad it wasn't worse than it was.

Hope (*really* hope!) to see you at the Virginia Beach Regionals. I think I will cry if I meet you! :) You amaze and inspire me.

[Elizabeth]

Wishes for a speedy recovery to your father and hugs to everyone!

[Erin Menzio]

I just have to say that it sounds like there are so many cool places in Salt Lake! Gardner village sounds SOO fun and right up my ally!! Maybe during convention time you could post fun places to visit in the area. We like a lot of the same things you enjoy. Sounds great! It might even make me want to get there a day or two earlier to just roam around! Take care!

[Dale]

Just another reason I love Stampin' Up! so much - God, Family, Work
Trusting Him to take care of your Dad, you and your family and the needs of Stampin' Up. Remembering you in prayer.

[Randi]

I am a demonstrator out here in West Wendover... Right near the Salt Flats. My boyfriend is on the fire department who is in charge of the Flats during races such as this. He was not out there that day, but we had talked to his chief later on that evening and had heard about your dad's car. Not knowing it was him of course. I'm glad to hear that he is doing well. I will pass this info on to the fire crew. I'm sure they would love the update!

[karen findlay]

For your father to still have such a spirit and drive for life and determination to fulfill his dream, that is what is truly amazing. I understand it's dangerous and there could be terrible consequences but I would be proud of him. He really is "enjoying every moment" Congrats to your dad and thank goodness he is going to be ok.

Karen Findlay

[Kristy Young]

Wow Shelli, I hope your Dad has a speedy recovery!
Take care
Kristy from Australia

[Deb Johnson]

Shelli, I'm so glad your dad is going to recover. I hope that his recovery is speedy and with as little pain as possible. Thank you for the reminder that we are here to "serve others"

I love reading your blog for the reminder that I am a part of a company that cares and serves others.

Have fun in KC!

[Lynne O'Donnell]

It was wonderful to see you yesterday in KC for Regionals! So sorry to hear the news about your Dad, but as you know - our prayers are abundant. I truly thank you for being in KC and sharing your love with all of us so that it reignites our spirits to share and give to others. Blessings and Hugs, Lynne.

[Lorrie]

Shelli, my thoughts and prayers are with your Dad as he recovers and for you as you travel. I have had a few weeks of dealing with family issues and have not had a chance to catch up with you on your blog, but am trying to read some today. Thank you so much for all of the inpiration. God bless.
~Lorrie

[CIndy Lawrence]

Oh Shelli, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's accident. Thank the good Lord that he will be able to recover fully! I will keep him in my prayers...and you as well, as you seem to never have very long to breathe these days!

{{{HUGS}}}
~Cindy

[Ann]

Sorry to hear about your father, but my prayers and best wishes go out to him!

[Brenda Bromen]

Shelli, my prayers go out to your dad during his recovery! Major ((((HUGS)))) to you and the rest of your family. I can only imagine the worry you went through until you knew he would be okay. I've had to spend time beside my parents while they've been recovering in a hospital (for various health issues) and I know how special that time can be. There is no choice but to put "real life" issues aside and be there when they need you. I live far from my parents, so those times have meant a lot to me because it has given us a chance to reconnect. God Bless! Brenda

[Twila Davis]

Shelli, just wanted to let you know I'll keep your dad in my prayers. Seems like your life is just full of surprise happenings all the time. I don't know how you keep it all straight and still find time to interact with all of us. But maybe that's why I love working for this company, because we've got a great lady incharge that really cares about everyone. Thanks for all your hard work!
PS: I put together one of the spider jars and sold it to a lady today, now I've got to get spider ordered for me! IT was so easy and fun to do!

[Dawn rapsas]

Hi Shelli,

So happy to hear your father is ok and you were still able to attend the Kansas City Regional. I know first hand how the the love and support of the demonstrator base and Stampin' Up! Staff can be so conforting on many levels.

Please congratulate your Dad for me on breaking the speed record. The way I see it is, if you are going to go up in flames, you might as well at least get the glory for breaking the record :)

Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers!!
Dawn

[Dianne S]

Wow! what an amazing father! Congrats to him on breaking the speed record! Hope he recovers soon...!!! That is just too traumatic! Thank you Shelli for sharing your positive love for everything you have in life. It is a blessing to have postive views, when life is so stressful and news reports are so depressing!

[Stacy Hansen]

Shelli-

How is your dad doing? I have thought about him alot these past few days and pray that he is doing well.

I LOVE your blog, just can't get enough! Thanks for the fun ideas, recipes, and fun!

Stacy