Today is October 31, Halloween.
It is a popular night for partying, drinking, having fun.
Have fun, dress up in costumes, and challenge yourself and your friends to party without the drinking.
Is it possible? Could you still have a great time? Most important, why should you?
I want to tell you a Halloween story, a scary Halloween story. It’s the scariest kind of story because it’s true.
Seven days ago, Nate’s family and friends woke up to phone calls, saying that Nate had been taken to Sierra Vista Hospital in SLO at 2am. He had head injuries and was in ICU, in critical but stable condition.
Steve and I were in a remote part of the Big Island, Hawaii. Our cell reception was spotty, the information hard to get. As Steve tried to find out what happened, I packed. We left the Hilo side for a two-hour drive to Kona. We were on our cells the entire time as they would alternate working and stopping. We had a new friend, Sarah, checking for flights out of Kona. She texted back that there were 3 seats left on the next flight out.
Quick answers to prayer got us on that flight and we settled in for five slow, no communication hours to the mainland. Once back in California, the waits for the Flyaway to Van Nuys, and the wait to leave the parking garage, were all interminable. Finally, at 11:30 pm, we were driving home.
The ICU staff knew we were coming. Dan, the night nurse, kindly spent about fifteen minutes explaining what we were going to see. It helped somewhat, but what could ever prepare a parent to see their son in a medically induced coma. The bolt apparatus coming out of his head monitored the pressure of any brain swelling. A ventilator breathed for him, and IV’s snaked about his arms. Medicine to keep him calm and in the coma flowed through his veins, as well as the alcohol from a night of drinking downtown. Medicine to fight pneumonia is now also being pumped through.
We could only stay a few minutes to pray for him, tell him we loved him, and then drove home to sleep the sleep of the exhausted.
The next morning we were back at ICU. This time, we wanted answers. Nate’s friends had bits of the story. An eyewitness had a vague description of Nate being punched, and hearing his head hit the ground. We are glad that some concerned citizens flagged down the SLO PD and they quickly determined that Nate needed medical attention. The case is a felony assault, unless more information changes that. It is in the hands of the SLO PD, and any witnesses that will come forward or call Crimestoppers anonymously.
Our complete focus in on Nate and his recovery. Rod, the social worker, talked to us about acute care facilities, sub-acute facilities, disability, and other subjects that suggested long term recovery. We pray this will not be the case. We want Nate to wake up, see us, and know who we are. Apart from a miracle, this is unlikely.
Nate’s family and friends are apart of the scariest Halloween story possible. Please read this, talk about it and have a safe, sober Halloween.
If not for yourself, do it for Nate.
May God bless you all,
Nate’s mom
