Miracles in Edgely ND

After the school reunion in Iowa City, our next port of call was Edgely, North Dakota. Not heard of it? It's just a few miles from Ellendale, and pretty much at the centre of Mid-west Hometown, USA.

Our mission: real-time hugs with our dear friend (and Gen-X) Michelle, finally meet her wonderful husband Clete and stay in touch with the delightful darling Summer.

Earlier this year, in April, Michelle was involved in a serious auto accident. Doctors in Fargo assessed the impact of her spinal injuries as "unlikely to walk again." After her first round of surgery, they told Clete it was even worse than they initially thought.

Fast forward to August 14, and, on our arrival at their beautiful farm, who should be walking up to the front door, beamimg and glowing with vitality? Our Michelle, body-braced and crutches, but positively gleaming.

Miracle you might say? What is the miracle? Michelle regaining feelings, muscle tone and the ability to dispense with her wheel chair despite a seriously damaged spinal chord? Well maybe. God does amazing things, and sometimes He makes us recover from physical injuries and confounds medical science. I'm told these sorts of miracles happen in hospitals every day.

Here are the miracles I saw in Edgely ND:

Indomitable God-given spirit in a wonderful woman; Unbridled joy as old and dear friends reconnect; A home where love is clearly overcoming pain and adversity; A proud family coping with huge challenges and dealing with them one day at a time; A community collectively embracing a family with love and compassion; and friends, artisans, craftsmen, teachers and business people of Edgely and the surrounding district rallying around and sensitively giving this family room to breathe and space to recover - body, soul and spirit.

Michelle is an extraordinary woman. She has achieved extraordinary things and has truly let her light shine. And her recovery, still with a way to go yet, is miraculous. The miracles of love continue to ripple all over the district.

Filled with admiration for her work and determination, I told her as we left that my heart was singing with joy for her recovery, while weeping with the grief of parting again, at least until we see you again in Australia.

Hugs, laughs, tears, joy, quality talk and fond fare-wells. Without doubt, there are miracles in Edgely ND. God bless you all.