Never Alone

Whitney Copeland (8:15am PST, Tuesday, 4/26/22)

We are continually bombarded by helping hands, happy smiles, encouraging words and open hearts. It’s sometimes so overwhelming. But in the best way. Like a full to the brim after thanksgiving dinner feeling.

So I’m needing to open up and publicly share my thanks. Our thanks. Some of these won’t make since you any of you, but writing them down will help me to never forget the cherished moments I’ve shared with other humans. Most complete strangers. This long list is a summary of all the people who have loved on us. 

To the ER Dr. who held my face in his hands and told me to prepare myself before I saw my hurt family members in the ER in St. George. He put his arm around me and walked to each room from bedside to bedside with me. I don’t know your name. But I love you. 

To the beautiful life flight woman who re-assured me that Pepper was her entire world for the next 2 hours that she was going to be life flighted to UMC. I believed you. And to all the crew members that got each of them into the trauma center at UMC. I’m so grateful we got to hug you. 

To the case manager at the St. George hospital that ran around making sure I had everything from a tube of chapstick to a list of phone numbers of my closest relatives because I only had the clothes on my back. 

To the EMT that drove Krew & I to the regional airport to board the plane that would life flight us to UMC. You slipped me that $100 and hugged me tight. Your generosity will never be forgotten. 

To Holly the lady in the trauma waiting room in UMC. You let me borrow your phone for a couple of hours, and gave me a Dr. Pepper. I was in shock and you were so patient and kind. I didn’t even know yet if all 3 had made it, and you sat with me. 

To the Red Cross representatives that showed up to help me, and gave me my first debit card. You kindly hugged me, some rules are meant to be broken. 

To the women local to Las Vegas. I don’t know many of you. But with in 48 hours I had a cell phone, clothing, shoes, underwear, toiletries, food and so many encouraging notes. I needed you, and you dropped everything and came running. I know you had families, jobs and other obligations but there you were. Serving me. 

To the endless family members and friends who rallied, took care of my family afar. Our Kade and Emree were taken, just a few hours after the chaos. They were loved. They were cared for. There were ALOT of days that I didn’t even speak to them. But I just knew. Knew they were being loved and cared for. Thank you forever. 

To the crew that dug through the ashes and salvaged, and cleaned any belongings that were still in one piece off the bus. Those things were all we had left from our home. You quickly came to our aid. Those items are cherished. Thank you for serving us. 

To each individual who have shared their experiences with us. Whether it be personal stories or similar trials. We thank you for your ability to be raw and authentic, it gives us hope. Because that my friends is where we can meet God. When we reach out to others. That is where we can be humbled enough to keep getting on our knees and know we are NEVER alone. 

To each and every one of you that have so willing donated your time. Your money. Given rides. Babysat our children. Shared your meals. Cleaned our home. We could not do this without you. We are over and over again reminded of Christlike love. We want to be more like each of you and share all we have. 

Lastly to our loving parents. We have been blessed with four. Thank you so much for dropping everything and running to our aid. We know you had lives and jobs that were put on hold. You were at the bedside of each of our children and Kyle for countless days and hours. No one has sat alone or was in need of a friend for the duration of their stay in the hospital. We are so grateful for your sacrifice and your time. You are some of our greatest examples of what it means to be a parent. Thank you for showing up for us. 

We are reminded over and over to be kind. To love others. It’s really impossible to know what is going on in someone’s life. Forgive the distracted driver. Pardon the crabby cashier. Smile at the forgetful waitress. They are just regular people going through a thing called life. Find ways to uplift and show kindness no matter the circumstance. Find joy everyday.