THE STORY . . .

On the morning of Sunday, March 2, 2008, the lives of Kirsti, Claudia, Ron and the rest of us--were forever changed. Claudia and Kirsti, mother & daughter, were out for a morning walk with the dogs on County Road 2200 in Lampasas County, Texas. While only a quarter mile from the house, an SUV came around a bend at excessive speed, lost control and rolled into them, killing Kirsti and leaving Claudia severely injured.

Claudia was air-ambulanced to Scott and White hospital in Temple, Texas, where she was admitted to their trauma ICU to save her life. She suffered many broken bones, lacerations, but most significantly—a broken spine which has left her paralyzed from the waist down.
With this news, along with the emotional toll of losing our bright and beautiful Kirsti, comes the long road to recovery and the creation of a new “normal” for both Claudia and Ron as they start to knit their lives back together…..and sadly, this all comes at a price—a very HIGH price.

Claudia and Ron know that God is in control and he is a mighty God, who will see them through all of this. Their faith is gaining ground through all of this heartache, which is nothing short of a miracle itself.

Please pray for God to grant Claudia the strength and wisdom to continue dealing with her considerable physical issues.



Please leave a message for the family at the end of the "Latest Update" blog below in RED --click on '# comments' below. Your words are immeasurable therapy for Claudia & Ron...

Baby Sister

written by Ron one night in the ICU while watching big sister, Jimmie, take care of little sister "C" (Claudia)

Baby Sister

Look back on the years
To see how far you came
sisters thru it all,
You’d do it all again.

Every step you took
You took side by side
From infancy to adulthood,
Withstood the test of time.

You cradled her and nurtured ,
Through all these many years;
You held her and offered comfort,
Through happiness and tears.

You'd pick her up when she’d fall,
Dust her off and then,
Encourage her to get back on
. . . ride that horse again.

So this is nothing different,
Just another town and place
To help your baby sister
put a smile back on her face

ron


the Voice

(I wrote this while Kirst was still in Idaho and we were really missing her...)

For Kirst

was it the moon that shone so bright ?
what could it have been about last night ?


it was full, seemed much like day,
things were clear in every way.


for a moment, the stars aligned,
could it a have been a special sign ?


but a second thought brings perfect focus,
there was no magic, no hocus pocus.


was just that voice I need so bad,
without her call, I’m often sad.


when I hear it I’m so inspired
when it’s close I’m never tired.


that would be my special friend,
with who’s voice my heart will mend.


I think of her last, I think of her first,
. . . it can only be my ‘Kirst’.

I miss you.
love, dad

Thursday, May 8, 2008

LATEST UPDATE

Claudia has been released from the Warm Springs Rehab hospital and is now in her sister, "Jimmie's", care--along with husband, Bennie and other sister, Linda, in Seadrift, Texas. Claudia is doing pretty good but is still having a fair amount of stomach problems as well as back pain. She remains paralyzed. She was given a wonderful gift of a motorized scooter from the "Scooter Store"--arranged for by her dear friend Linda--that will be of so much help to her when she becomes more mobile.

Some of you have asked about Kirsti's photography....we are looking into how best to make this accessible for anyone who would like to have some of her work. She would be so pleased to know that her vision thru the lens is still being enjoyed by so many. Watch for more details to come.

We miss our precious Kirsti. May all the love and kindness that she shared with so many stay in your hearts and minds. This will be a tough Mother's Day for Claudia--please keep her, as well, in your hearts, prayers and well wishes. See new address for Claudia if you would like to drop her a note of encouragement.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Latest Update

Claudia is now at the level of rehabilitation. She was transferred out of ICU into a regular room at Scott and White, then, was cleared for transfer onto Warm Springs Rehab Hospital in Victoria, Texas, nearer to her sisters Jimmie and Linda and family who are helping emensely with her rehab. She welcomes visitors with some advance notice, if possible, but she is in rehab from 9am til 4pm everyday except Sunday.

The family thanks those who traveled to the visitation in honor of Kirsti at the Sneed Funeral Home in Lampasas on the evening of March 4th. It was such an expression of love and friendship that you all expressed with your presence there. We will look forward to a time of celebration of Kirsti’s life with a memorial service to be planned sometime in the near future. You can watch here for those details to come.

Please click on "# comments" below to leave a message of encouragement for Claudia and Ron.
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