Some of you may know I come from Alabama originally. I have family in Birmingham, Cullman, Blountsville and Tuscaloosa. Most of them are okay after yesterday's tornados. Two are not.
This is my nephew Garrett, and his bride of 8 months, Jennifer, taken on their honeymoon last August. Their house was leveled yesterday in the horrible tornado that ravaged Alabama. Garrett was found under a 5-foot pile of rubble approximately 100 yards from where his house used to be. He is alive, with a broken jaw, broken left wrist, broken left arm, slightly damaged spleen, bleeding around the kidneys, and a large gash in his right side. Right now he's on a ventilator at the University Hospital in Birmingham.
We don't know where Jennifer is.
When Kevin, Garrett's older brother, couldn't reach them by cell phone, he jumped in his car and went looking for them. He got there just as the first responders found Garrett, and helped them dig him out. They told Kevin there had been a female body nearby, no ID, and the body of a white bulldog in a cage, but they had already taken them to a staging area.
Garrett and Jennifer have a white English bulldog.
I've spoken with my brother, Garrett's dad, and Garrett will probably be all right, though he's not out of the woods yet. He doesn't know Jennifer's missing, and Frank doesn't know how to tell him. This is the same brother and sister-in-love who lost their oldest son to bone cancer at the age of 19--ten years ago this June. Janell also lost her mother 2 months ago.
Jennifer's dad has said if they call, he doesn't think he'll be able to go identify his little girl, so Frank will do it for him.
Frank and Janell have been through so much, and they loved Jennifer as a daughter. I can't believe they must go through this too.
So please, pray that Jennifer is found alive and well, and that Garrett heals completely. Miracles still happen everyday, and this family could use one. Please pray for strength for my brother and sister-in-love as they trudge through yet more tests of their faith.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, all.
Stephanie
6 comments:
I'm praying...and crying, soo sorry, Stephanie....
hugs, pokey
Bone chilling tragedy--my heart and thoughts go out to all your family. Garrett looks like a big strong guy--I am pulling for him!
I am so sorry to hear this of your cousins. Hope and pray that Garrett has a good recovery. Don't know what to say about Jennifer....and their dog. Praying, praying, praying!
And, I had been complaining earlier this week about our rainy weather.
Hugs, Karen
I'm so sorry to read this. I'll keep your family in my thoughts and hope that not only does Garrett pull through but that they find Jennifer alive and their dog.
Hugs,
Cathi
I live in Northport, 5 miles from the devastation. It's truly horrible. My thoughts and prayers go to your family.
Oh babe. I'm sorry.
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