?Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don’t ask why. It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time?
??Good Riddance,? Green Day
?
Sometimes, despite hours of trying to find new creative words to make a point, it turns out that nothing says it like a cliche.
Life can turn on a dime.
For Douglas Hoesli, it did just that. His dime spun on black ice on the night of Dec. 23. When he left his home in Nebraska heading toward Salina, he was a carefree 22-year-old going to spend the holidays with his parents and brothers.
But within 20 miles of his destination, his mangled car was being pried apart with the jaws of life and he would soon learn he had a severed spinal cord, paralysis, and was facing years of rehabilitation and therapy.
Life can turn on a dime.
This is something his family would erase if we could. It?s easy to say ?God has a plan? and ?things happen for a reason? when these ?things? happen to someone else. When it?s personal, it?s a little harder to grasp. In time, we do. But not without some help.
As they do in crisis, amazing people seem to come through every door and window. Douglas?s parents (my sister and brother-in-law) have been passengers in their own lives since this happened, scrambling to be where Douglas needed them to be, while keeping the day to day challenges on track. I?ve heard how wonderful the people in their lives have been to them and since we are equally concerned for them and Douglas, it eases all of our minds when people shift their own lives to help them out.
And the kindness just keeps on coming?.
On Saturday, Jan. 29, with support from the Swedish Crown Restaurant in Lindsborg, there will be a fundraiser/silent auction held in Douglas?s honor. It will be a night full of incredible food, live music, giveaways and a silent auction of donated gifts and original pieces of artwork from area artists.
The art and live acoustic performance alone will be worth the drive in. The No. 1 goal is to ease the financial burden of Douglas and his parents. The secondary goal is to bring our communities together, offer people a chance to experience various art forms, meet some new people and enjoy a night out for a great cause.
That being said, the public is invited to this spectacular event in downtown Lindsborg. You don?t need to find an excuse: there?s a reason for everyone to stop by.
For the multitasker, come to socialize, eat and participate in a good cause all at one stop.
For the romantically challenged, treat your special someone to a newly reopened restaurant with food from top chefs.
For the philanthropist, join a worthwhile fundraising effort with a mix of like-minded people.
For those with a bare wall, bid and buy on the perfect piece of art.
For those tired of Guitar Hero, come for the live music.
For the lonely, meet some people.
For the bored, pass the time.
For the hungry, get some food.
If nothing else, we hope Douglas? story will offer a reminder. His life changed before he knew he hit the ice. That?s exactly how long it takes?which leaves no time to waste when saying thanks for today.
