07/20/2026
30 years…
What does that mean to you? Me? A blessing I didn’t realize the vastness of until it was too late.
31 years ago today, my Dad was a lifesaver & a miracle. My Mom & Dad went to visit my Uncle & Aunt in Dallas. They asked to take Damon with them. Being a new Mom of two, Madison wasn’t even 3 months old yet, we (my, husband (now ex)/their Dad) agreed.
I’ll never forget this evening. We had rented a movie, the X was cooking & we were getting ready to eat, when the phone rang. The X answered it & almost immediately dropped to his knees sobbing. He was crying so hard, I, at first, thought he was laughing, until I turned and looked at him, crumpled on the floor. He was on the phone with my Mom. She called to tell us what happened. Damon & our cousin Sarah were running and playing around the pool when Damon fell in. He didn’t know how to swim being 4.5 years old. I had taught him earlier that summer how to hold his breath. He had some cousins a bit older, that like he, played rough. I wanted him to be prepared for pool time.
When he fell in, my Dad went in after him. Of course, being the middle of July, Dad is wearing thick sweatpants & a Tshirt. He grabbed Damon and pushed him to my Aunt (Sarah had ran in to inform them) while Dad went under & my uncle called 911.
1st miracle, the EMS were close by, eating at a Mexican restaurant we frequented when visiting. They arrived. Dad was blue/purple. Scrape on his glasses where he hit the bottom/side of the pool and he asphyxiated (threw up into his lungs). They rushed him to Baylor hospital.
2nd miracle, they told my Mom to call the family, it didn’t look good. My Mom was overcome by an extreme feeling of peace. PLUS WISDOM! My Aunt, dad’s sister, had died in Benin, West Africa, less than a year prior. She, Nancy, was 27 & my best friend, 3 years older than me & 21 years younger than my Dad. While dealing with my Dad in such a critical state, my Mom had the wherewithal to call our family minister & elder(s) first, to inform my grandparents (Nancy & Dad’s parents). Then she called my brother Adrian & Mikey (brother from another mother/Adrians best friend), then to call us. She knew I’d crumble. Called in support.
3rd miracle, Adrian made it from Stillwater to Tahlequah, picked us up & Mikey & we made it to Baylor hospital in under 4 hours (including his trip from Stillwater).
4th miracle, we arrive at the hospital. I had gotten upset on 7/16 (my bday) because Dad didn’t remember. The X had gone to talk to my parents about it before they left for Dallas. Dad said, “We will get together & talk about it when we get back.” We get to the hospital. Dad is in ICU, strapped down, intubated with the person next to him on life support, just waiting for the transplant/donation procedures. Mom leads me back to see Dad. He motions for something to write with & he writes “I LUV YOU”. How he always wrote it.
5th miracle, for a few days he was intubated until his oxygen level reached 95%. His mouth was so dry & wanting it out. Once they removed the tube, they offered him JELLO & SPRITE. I’ve only ever seen my Dad a couple of times angry. While I don’t count this one, because I believe he would’ve become violent & justified, should anyone take away his JELLO & SPRITE! 5 DAYS after the “drowning” we are headed home to Tahlequah.
6th miracle, home health calls Mom to set up in home care for Dad. Mom says “I don’t know what you’re talking about he’s back at work 1/2 days now.” The nurse/caller says “IMPOSSIBLE! I’m looking at his chart, he’s a “vegetable” at best! How’d that happen?” My Mom says “GOD!”
Every July 19th or thereabout (last year was early, Damon & I delivered it together early, 2X’s a couple of years late), for the past 29 years, I’ve given Dad Sprite, Jello & a “THANK YOU” balloon. John 15:13 “13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” OR GRANDSON!
Final miracle, we were blessed with an extra 30 years with my Dad. He wasn’t supposed to make it that day, but HE DID!
Last year Dad did wish me a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Once everything is all said and done, is when we truly realize the magnitude of our blessings.
On this 31st anniversary, I pray that YOU try to make each and every day count. Make that call, send birthday wishes, have a Sprite & Jello & say “THANK YOU” to God above for your blessings. 30 years seems like a long time… until it’s over. If you pay attention, you just might see miracles in your own life.
*side note X = David HAYES. Since I’m married to David ROMINE now, didn’t want to cause confusion.
