The blink of an eye.

Oh how life can change when you least expect it.

Saturday night was terrible. I can't even think of any other words for it- I'm speechless even now. My step dad is a volunteer for our local fire department/ambulance. We heard on the pager that there was an accident which needed life flight- not far from our house. My mind immediately flashed to my cousin Cassandra and her husband Fred- they live not too far from where the accident was and regularly travel that way at the end of the work day. We then got word that a second life flight was requested. I hesitated and said "geez, I hope it isn't anyone we know". Then, my step dad ran out of the house to a call at the same sight of the accident. We sat and waited to hear that he was coming home and ate supper. My uncle called (which I think might be the 1st time in my life that he has ever called us) and I knew it was them. I just knew. From there, everything is a blur for me. I remember hearing it was them and my mother saying "oh god they were on the bike? and not wearing helmets?" and I lost it. I just lost it. My heart wasn't beating anymore and I couldn't focus. I started crying- trying to sweep the floor. Pack a bag so we could go to the hospital, get Layla in a pair of pajamas, get her a sippy cup and some snacks- and we were out the door. On the way to Bangor to support my cousin. Her husband was sent to another hospital 2 hours away with serious leg injuries and some swelling on the brain. Cassandra had all of her trauma in her head. All on the left side. When I got there, everyone was crying- "they have to do surgery on a part of her brain" my grandmother told me "tonight". Emergency brain surgery? I remember her mother saying "if you believe in God, you better be praying because I'm very close to losing my baby" through tears and sobs. We all hugged each other. I walked with my cousin Justin (Cassandras brother) all the way to the ICU, with arms around each other.

Cassandra and Fred are both in very tough shape. Most of Fred's injuries are in his legs and, as of the last update, he still needs more surgery (after 5 hours earlier this week). Cassandra, on the other hand, has all head trauma. Some minor knee surgery but then complete and total head trauma. It's all on the left side of her head which controls your hearing, your speech, your personality and the right side of your body. She is still in pretty serious condition and, from what I hear, will still need some surgery to reconstruct her skull and get the tube out of the back of her head. She is off the ventilator as of today (it's working part time if she needs it) and can breathe on her own! This is HUGE news people. 

Us when we were little. Can you spot me? How can you not, right? Cassie on the right, Justin on the left, Layla in the middle. Just kidding.

Having been raised around motorcycles, I can't tell you ENOUGH how important it is that everyone do their part to keep bikers safe. The bikers have equal parts as the non bikers. Ride safe- everyone. Bikers are people too.

Legit the cutest kids on the planet.

Cassandra and Fred have two littles of their own- Jocelyn and Mason. Jocelyn is 5 and Mason is 3. This family has a long road ahead and are in need of your help. If you can, please click the picture below to donate. If you can't donate money, please donate positive thoughts/prayers/love to them and their family and pretty please share the link to the donation site. 

They need all the help they can get right now. There is currently a benefit in the works for them as well so, if you're in the Waldo County area (or surrounding) and would like to come, it's on 7/26 at Bowens Tavern on Rt 137 in Belfast.

There is also an account opened at Winslow FCU for them. Checks can be made payable to Lisa Cote or Winslow Community FCU. It's located on 12 Monument St in Winslow. 

Again, monetary donations help but prayers and positive thoughts/love are appreciated. I have family keeping me updated on their condition and I'm very hopeful that they will both make a complete recovery. Both kids have been to see Fred but, as far as I know, they have not been to see Cassandra yet. Fred is awake, talking, alert- Cassandra isn't. 

To see the outpouring of love and support that can stem from such a small community is amazing. People in two countries and ALL over the USA are praying and sending love to them. It is absolutely amazing and to think that all stems from little ole Maine is just mind boggling. We love them and want them both home with their babies.

Life can change when you are least expecting it. Take nothing for granted, even for a second. In that second, life could change before you can even blink.