Tym Stark’s Residential Care - Day 64
Day 64 - Saturday 11/24/07
Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Looks like we made an impact at the Lompoc City Council Meeting. Read about it in the Lompoc Record (local newspaper):
http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2007/11/21/news/news02.txt
Hollywood Park - Thanksgiving Day
We had a great Thanksgiving Brunch at Hollywood Park along with the Robert’s Family! Thanks for letting us join your celebration. We enjoyed the food and races. We later went to Tym’s brother’s house, Mitch and Sandi, to play games and have pie with the “local” Starks. We haven’t seen our cousins in quite a while, and it was nice to get to spend some time with them.
David, Tym and Yvonne - Huntington Beach CA
Friday we spent the day with David and Yvonne (Tym’s nephew and his girlfriend). They are visiting from Arizona along with Tym’s brother-in-law Art (aka - Rick). Unfortunately Uncle Rick was feeling ill on Friday so he did not join us. After a long morning of changing out David’s worn truck suspension, we headed down to Huntington Beach. We had lunch at TK Burger, walked on the beach, shopped at Huntington Surf and Sport, then enjoyed Happy Hour with some of my (Jeremy’s) friends. Unfortunately Tym is not allowed to drink alcohol, but he seemed to enjoy watching the basketball games and his new clothes. We ended the night with some Starbucks and Finding Nemo. We had started that movie in the hospital, but Tym fell asleep about 15 minutes in. We got through the whole thing this time.
Tym didn’t help out too much with David’s suspension Friday, but mentioned he would have liked to. So Saturday he helped me work on a friends motorcycle. We had a great time, father and son, fixing up a wrecked bike. Tym said that fixing the bike felt natural. He said it was normal feeling to work on it, compared to the other stuff they have him do. He was an excellent helper, and knew exactly what to do, but had a little trouble with the names of all the tools. I have a lot of projects to do, and if my Dad wants to help me get through the list, I will be very grateful.
Saturday afternoon, we visited Eva and Brent’s house for a post-Thanksgiving party where we had the best tamales in the world. Thanks Mom! We watched some TV and visited with the Family. Uncle Rick luckily felt better today, and enjoyed the food and company as well. Tym enjoyed the food, and seeing his old pal Vanilla (our dog).
Tym was having a hard time this weekend battling his recent depression. We didn’t try to push anything to hard on him. He said, “It’s not from my thoughts, it’s just there! I don’t feel very happy to be alive.” We remind him of all of the people that love him, and those who saved his life without even knowing him. He says he’s grateful for all the great things that everyone has done, but he feels like he’s finished. “I’m done with life”, Tym said. We talked for a while, and I told him about ABI, and how depression is a completely normal part of recovery. I tried to get him to recognize that he can still enjoy life, and it’s up to him what he makes of it. Also, with Tym being a Christian, I reminded him that quitting isn’t an option. I told him that he is recovering very quickly compared to the average brain-injury patient, which means his depression should pass quickly as well. He’ll be attending church on Sunday, and I hope that he will feel much better afterwards.
November 25th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Hey Tym,
We loved the pictures. So happy you were with family on Thanksgiving. No worries, the depression will pass. Just bumps in the road!!!
We love you, and believe God has amazing plans for your life. Hang in there, our prayers will be with you this week.
Lots of Love,
Sandy and Alan
November 25th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Tym and Family
Keep up the good work Tym, we all know its a hard road for you and pray for you daily. It will all work out and you have inspired so many people that you dont even know! And Tym——you have a wonderful family!!!!!
Thank you for this site.
Ilene FBF
November 25th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Tym, we were glad to have you and the kids over and you are all welcome at any time. We know you are going through a lot…we all are, but we are all so very happy that you are here with us. You can visit Vanilla whenever you want and boy, was he glad to see you, too! Take each day one at a time as they say and “this too shall pass.” You have a huge family that loves you and even more that want to see you when you feel up to it. And a side note to the airmen who rescued you…I had three Air Force brothers-Harry, Jack, and Jess-and to see that Air Force uniform once again was quite emotional and thanks to all of you and Fireman John for all that you did. Words cannot express our gratitude. Eva & Brent
November 26th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Good to hear that you had such a good Thanksgiving. Like you, I always treasure the moments that are most filled with family and very close friends. Keep up the good work!
November 26th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Hey, Tym and family! Great to read your postings today. You are all such wonderful communicators. I agree with the other comments, that depression will pass, and also that there are things you can do to make them pass. I know that one of the people our church has had as a guest speaker (Joni Erekson Tada) has written and spoken (and made a movie) involving the subject of depression, due to her own sports-related accident. She had to make serious adjustments, and at times, begged others to take her life away. But she is now famous, and has found her enjoyment in making other people feel better about their circumstances, and in drawing them closer to Jesus.
But I will be praying for you, and thanks again for the updates!
Love in Christ,
Carolyn
November 26th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Dear Jeremy,
I am the managing editor of a medical journal called EP Lab Digest, which publishes articles about cardiac arrhythmias and electrophysiology (EP). I recently came across your blog, and was very moved by Tym’s story. You are a good writer, and have done a wonderful job keeping everyone updated. I am especially glad to hear that Tym is doing better! If possible I would be very interested in doing a feature article about this; please contact me at “jelrod@hmpcommunications.com” or 800-371-0791 at your convenience if you would like to discuss.
Thanks!
Jodie Elrod
Managing Editor, EP Lab Digest
www.eplabdigest.com