The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

It's been almost two months for us now since my son became totally incapacitated just one week before graduation from college.

Well, I am happy to report that he will be released from the hospital on Monday. We have no diagnosis, and no prognosis. What we have is a great deal of uncertainty in our future.

But we have been blessed with some awesome and wonderful people on this journey. And where we seem to have found peace is that we may never have an answer, or know the cause, or even have a cure, BUT everyday brings the promise and hope that miracles can occur.

As my great fishing buddy of over 15 years and hundreds of trips reminded me, it could be worse, you could lose your loved one like he did (his wife to cancer).

Life is not a perfect place, but it is what you make it. I can not conceive of why God placed this total mental and physical breakdown on my son, but I know it will lead to good. The people we have met during the hospitilization have been amazing. A doctor is so impressed with my son's prospects for the future he has offered to have him live with him and watch over him. At 22, it is hard to treat him like a child, yet he is in no shape to take on the real world, especially not back to LA.

So my note is to all of you out there. I wrote my original post only a few days after he entered the hospital and your words were very encouraging. Never underestimate the power one person can have on another. And always believe that a few like minded people can change the world.

The open expression of faith warmed my heart, and gave me the courage to get through all of this. God must be laughing at how little I can see, as I have been bed ridden for 5 days with a nasty flu, wondering how it can possibly be worse.

And as one who has been there (like many of you), life can be black, and dark, and lonesome, and frightful. But with others that share your convictions and faith, anything is possible.

So my mind will now allow me to start to consider picking my passion back up in the future. My flyrod that is a magic wand that allows me to escape the drudgery and misery of everyday life. To those exceptional folks that have been willing to engage with me or with your friends in need - I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You will never know the difference you make.

Life is absolutely the journey. There is no destination. Trust me on this one. Embrace your blessings and your banes - they make us who we are. I encourage everyone to reach out to someone in need, as you can never ever comprehend the impact your efforts can have on another.

God bless you all. And go catch a fish for my son and I!

I have been wondering how things were going. You and your family have been in my prayers. Thanks for the reminder to not take anything in life for granted, and how important it is to reach out to others.

Dawn

Wow, what can one say, but Thank God. I was hoping we would hear from you. All of our prayers seemed to have been answered. Hope your lives return to normal soon, and let me know when you'd like to get out on the stream. You were there for me. Now I hope I can return the favor.

Best Wishes,
Harlan

So heartfelt, uplifting and honest.

God bless you and your family. You're in my prayers.

AB

Good to hear. Very good to hear. Continued prayers.

-- T.

So happy to be able to pray for you all.

Buzz
I Peter 5:7
Matthew 6:33-34

I hope all turns out well..

Paul

You and your family remain in my prayers.

God bless both of you, R.B.

Best wishes for continued strength and recovery.
Betty

Thanks for the update Robert,

I hope your Son makes a full and timely recovery.

Keeping your family in my thoughts,

Greg

Thanks for the update RB and the words of wisdom. Sometimes its easy for me to forget to be grateful for all that I have been blessed with...as well as my banes.

Look forward to seeing you on a river sometime.

~SST