He got what he wished for!

Our son Clifton turned 30 years old yesterday & he received a birthday gift that thrilled him to pieces. He won his very first fishing tournament w/ a 52 lb catfish! It was just one lb short of Lake Worth's record! And not only did he win the prize for biggest fish, he made it a clean sweep by winning biggest stringer category too. And that was w/out adding in the 52 lb cat! I am soo happy for him (I must admit I shed tears of joy!).

The cat was too heavy for the guy, who weighs them, to hold up....

so Clifton had to do it. ;) At 6'6" there's not a whole lot of fish too heavy for him to lift.

Here he is releasing teh big cat ....

free to swim & grow bigger & maybe next time, Clifton'll break that lake record.

Clifton with his winnings...the day was such a special one for him. And I can't think of anyone who deserves to attain their dreams more than Clifton. Most of you know about his accident & his miraculous, incredible recovery so you know what I mean.

After his tournament, we had a small family get -together to celebrate. LOVE this shot w/ Clifton & all the kids swarming him. They sure think a lot of their Uncle Clifton & Daddy Clifton (it's what his son Noah calls him...drives Clifton nuts! but he's just copying what he hears his cousins say. LOL)

Father & son w/ the banana cheesecake I made for his 30th birthday. (lucky for me, him winning the tournament took some of the sting out of it for me...but good grief, how can my babies be that old?????)

Your father & I are so proud of you, Son & we couldn't be happier for you. I hope every birthday gifts you with all that you wish for!

You've come a lonnnnng way, my baby!

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my son, Clifton's accident. Most of my readers know of it but for the new ones, I'll give a quick explanation. I received a phone call on this morning, 2 years ago, from the hubby...telling me not to worry but that there was an accident @ our shop & our son was being care-flighted to Parkland. He assured me that the EMT's said that it was minor burns, not much worse than a really bad sunburn & it was just a precaution that he was being care-flighted. So we headed to the hospital & the whole way there, I'm anticipating him being released & was planning what meals I'd make for him. When we arrived @ the hospital however, we were immediately ushered into a private consultation room w/ a Dr & a social worker. I knew it wasn't going to be good but nothing could have prepared me for what they told me. They told me that there was a good chance that he would not live & that if he did; his life, as he knew it before, was over. That he would be disfigured & disabled & that he suffered 3rd (& even 4th degree burns on his right hand) over 43% of his body. My world came to an end on that day ...or so I thought at the time.

I still suffer from anxiety attack flashbacks when I think about those days. I'm serious.... a full-blown anxiety attack.... w/ my heart racing & feelings of panic...just from remembering. I don't see how I functioned! But I did & in the process, I learned a whole lot about myself. I learned that I'm a heckuva lot stronger than I ever would have thought & although I may have feelings of panic, I don't react to them. I do what I gotta do 'cause that's the cowgirl way! ;o)

I don't think I will ever be able to celebrate the 4th of July again though. I'll never forget sitting in the hospital waiting room, praying my son would live, trying to will it into being; & seeing the fireworks display on the TV news. I was completely astounded that the world went on....how could that be, when mine had stopped? So fireworks will always be associated w/ that & all the feelings that I felt at the time. Not to mention all the firework related burns I heard about during my time @ the burn unit. Anyway, Clifton spent almost 2 mos in the hospital & had a long, hard fight ahead of him. But what a fighter he is...Chuck Liddell ain't got nothing on him!

I'd like to share w/ y'all just how far he has come w/ a pictorial over the past 2 years. For those who didn't see the extent of his injuries, it's really hard to grasp the severity of them. Cause Clifton has come that far! He had multiple skin grafts (I think it was 6...those days are a blur but it was both arms, both hands, right shoulder, abdomen & right thigh) & 2 fingers were amputated from his right hand (he was burned down to the bone...which is fatal more often than not). The Drs told us that our lives would never be normal, that Clifton's life would never be normal (healing powers they were full of but sooo lacked in bedside manner)....that he would require my care for at least a year. But they didn't know Clifton! He was not only self-sufficient but caring for a newborn w/in 4 months.

This first picture was taken just a few weeks before his accident.

This picture was taken after he had been released from the Burn ICU (so the bandages from his face had already been removed) & was in the Acute Care ward. It was a little over a month after his accident. It was too soon for him to be released from BICU but there had been an explosion @ a local factory & they needed the bed. Clifton was in the best shape in the BICU so he was it. He had an in-room, round the clock nurse for the first couple of weeks though.

Clifton has asked me why we didn't take pics right after his accident, when his own mother didn't even recognize him. *rolls eyes* It kinda wasn't a priority...DUH! Anyway, this was his first time to stand, so of course I snapped a shot w/ my phone, to share w/ the family. Not only did he stand, he walked the full length of the hall, amazing the PTs. But it was just the beginning of Clifton's determination to work @ getting better...only the beginning!

Clifton's firstborn Noah, was born one month to the day after he was released from the hospital. And although he was in great pain, Clifton stuck it out during the entire labor, then c-section delivery & hospital stay.

Here's the family home from the hospital. At this point, Clifton still couldn't use his hands to put in contacts so he wore glasses.

This picture was taken late Sept...just 3 months after the accident. To see the pain on Clifton's face is just heartbreaking for me.

But he & Stacie drew strength from each other. Love this sweet, sweet picture (taken the same day) capturing that. We are so fortunate to have her...Clifton sure knows how to pick 'em! A whole lot of women would have cut & run but she stuck it out... through thick, thin & burned. (Clifton is always making dumb jokes about his burns so he'll appreciate that little attempt @ humor)

This was taken @ Halloween & as you can see, by then he was able to use his hands to put in contacts. What a feat!

This was a shot from an article in the FW Star Telegram in November. It was taken in front of the burned wall of our shop. In a nutshell, Clifton was draining diesel fuel that someone had mistakenly put into a gasoline powered car. He was using an electric fuel pump to drain it & although it's standard practice in the automotive industry, in this instance it somehow ignited. Clifton's brother Dustin, wrapped Clifton in a tarp & pulled him away before the car exploded.... thank you God & Dustin! The reporter who first covered his story was so touched by it that he did a follow-up.

By Thanksgiving day (just 4 months after the accident!), Clifton was tossing the football around. Those Drs didn't take into account, my boy's determination, in their prognosis, did they?

This shot taken Christmas'time of '08, shows you just a bit of his wounds. His abdomen was even worse (when he was released from the hospital he had wounds deep enough to stick the whole tip of my finger in...up to the first knuckle!) & his other arm was also burned up to his bicep...it just doesn't show in the pic. Anybody who has any dealings w/ burns, knows how incredible it is that Clifton is sitting w/ his arm stretched out over the couch, w/ burns under his armpit. That should have taken him years to achieve, if ever. He's just incredibly strong & determined! And of course Baby Noah provided him w/ lots of inspiration.

Christmas-time '08

By Easter of '09, Clifton was looking just as handsome as ever.

And really kicking his nephews' butts @ football!

May of '09...the fishnet like texture of the skin on his arm & hand is from the grafting. It's absolutely amazing that it's not more noticeable! He just looks like he's spent a bit too much time in the sun. That florrid complexion he & I have (& hate!) was very good for the burns. Since the blood flowed so near the surface, it aided in skin regeneration. It's why his face has so few scars even though it was also burned. I guess I probably should stop complaining about my florrid complexion, huh? I mean, I passed it on to Clifton & it helped in his healing so I should be very thankful that I have it.

Summer of '09...still playing football. Here he is in a huddle w/ his nephews for a girl/boy football team. If I remember correctly the girls won....HAHA!

another one from late summer

Noah's first birthday...mid Sept. I told you Stacie was awesome...she lets Clifton have a room to keep all his "bachelor days" decor in. It's a mecca of neon lights & beer signs. LOL

late Sept '09

Christmas '09

By February 2010, Clifton was back out on the field playing semi-pro football!

You can read more about his miraculous return to playing football in this post. I have to share w/ y'all what Clifton said when he read that post. He said (& I quote), "I quit thinking of it as an accident a long time ago & started looking on it as an opportunity." Is that not a remarkable attitude or what?

I'm sad to say though that Clifton suffered a torn ACL in his second game of the season & he says he's tired of being hurt & that his football days are over. GLORY HALLELUJAH! (over the end of his football playing...not the torn ACL). I will admit though, that his determination to be back out on the field, was a huge inspiration to work, work, work despite the pain, pain, pain & that he has benefited from all that work. I'm just tired of worrying about him being hurt!

This last heartwarming picture was taken on Mother's Day 2010. I cannot tell you how proud I am of these 2 people! It took a lot of love, determination, prayer, support, inspiration & drive but I am very, very happy to say that "alls well, that ends well" & this story certainly has a happy ending.

I'd sooo like to say that his fight is over & that he is now pain-free but I can't. Just yesterday, after a day of working on his sister's car, his face was sooo full of pain that it broke my heart. I'm not gonna dwell on that though but instead, thank the stars above that he has the strength to deal w/ it & overcome it & that every day, he proves those doctors wrong!

Clifton, your amazing spirit & grit, gifted not only yourself, but your entire family w/ the gift of a normal life. You will always be my hero & I love you so!

Oh happy day!

Y'all ready for a sweet, heartwarming post? OK, grab ya a tissue, you'll probably need it. ;o) Today is my son, Clifton's 29th birthday & I have a very inspirational tribute post to the finest, strongest, bravest man I have ever known. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be his mother! Most of you know that Clifton was critically burned over 43% of his body in a tragic accident in July of '08. When he was released from the hospital, he was unable to feed, dress or toilet himself. His entire torso, both arms & hands were severely burned (even his face but to a lesser degree).....the burns on his right hand were 4th degree & two fingers had to be amputated. The Drs' prognosis was not good....they told us to expect minimal use out of the right hand & limited use of the left. Their words still ring through my ears, "he will be disfigured & disabled & life as he knew it, prior to his accident, is over." Many of you have prayed w/ me & some have even cried w/ me. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for your prayers & concern!


Before I go on, I want to share w/ you a discussion Clifton & I had, while he was still in the hospital. He was looking @ the photo board we had made him (full of pictures of family & of Clifton fishing & playing football) & his eyes filled w/ tears & he began to cry. I asked him what was wrong & he said, "I'm never going to play football again." (he played minor league football w/ the Ft Worth Rams). We cried together & I sympathized w/ him, reminding him of all he has to be thankful for & telling him that sometimes life sucks (& secretly thinking "it's about time you quit that nonsense anyway!). But that night I laid in bed & I thought about how important it was to Clifton & the next day, I told him that I had been thinking & that if he wanted this bad enough & was willing to work hard enough for it, his dream of playing football again was possible..... for he was ALIVE. He laughed & blew off the idea, saying "If I started playing football again, they'd have to make a movie out of me."


Well someone give me the numbers to the movie studios! Look at my boy!!!! He is living proof that anything is possible if you have the gumption to work for it.



We spent Valentine's day, last Sunday, in bitterly cold weather, snuggled up, covered up, drinking hot chocolate.... watching #55 kick some butt on the football field, just like the old days! The Rams had retired Clifton's # after his accident, in honor of him...vowing noone else would ever wear it. But nobody dreamed that just year & a half later, #55 would be back on the field.

The Rams won! YEAHHHH! This was the team that beat the Rams in the SuperBowl last year....all it took was Clifton to be back on the team & they smoked 'em. LOL

Clifton has always stood head & shoulders above the rest...even in a pack of football players.

Clifton getting a congratulatory "Rahhhhh!" from his coach. Coach Fabian visited Clifton right after he was released from ICU & he knows what condition he was in & how much he has overcome. Clifton is recovering so well that now it's hard for those who didn't witness it, to grasp how severe Clifton's injuries were. He has worked so hard that he has full range of movement, everywhere but his right hand...& it keeps getting better & better. Maybe one day! His scar bands at first, were very thick & rigid but he stretches them out & breaks them open, "teaching" the skin to loosen up & they get less & less over time. (a feat usually only accomplished by release surgeries). Some of Clifton teammates (the newer ones) don't even know that he is "the burned guy."

Look at the smile on his face...it warms a mother's heart, I can tell you that! I guess I'm OK w/ him playing football...it sure makes him happy.

Happy Birthday Son.....I love you! Your Daddy sure raised you right. ;o)

I've had so many comments come to my defense over my "your Daddy sure raised you right" that I felt I had to let y'all in on an inside joke. Right after Clifton's accident, he couldn't tell Stacie & me from his nurses. we were all covered up & he was super drugged up (was supposed to be in a medically induced coma but they were never able to get him to...Drs said it was sooooo strange to have a critically burned patient conscious & responsive). Anyway, we wore the same masks, gowns & hats as the nurses & Clifton would mistake us for them. He was always very, very polite & kind & thanked us for anything we did for him (even if it hurt him!). It prompted me to say to him once, "You sure are a polite, respectful young man...your Mama must have raised you right." To which, Clifton responded "My Daddy raised me right!"

It's been a family joke ever since cause I've always said "Moms get no credit" & this just proves it. ;o)

Another anniversary behind us!

Tuesday was the 1st anniversary of the day my son, Clifton was released from the hospital. That was such a happy, happy day! Most of my readers know that he was badly burned, w/ full thickness burns (3rd & 4th degree) over 43% of his body on July 3rd of last year. He's 6'6" so that's a whole lotta burns! It was a long, arduous 6 week long stay in the hospital (for both of us....I "lived" in his room w/ him as soon as he was released from ICU) & even after his release, Clifton was unable to do anything for himself... not dress himself, feed himself, sit up, toilet himself or even scratch his own nose. He required the same care as he did when he was an infant. Plus he had no insurance so his wound care was left up to hubby & I & the responsibility was terrifying!!! He had some burns so deep that I could stick my finger in up to my knuckle...I'm no nurse & get queasy at the sight of blood...how was I to be expected to cope w/ injuries as severe as his?

But cope we did, hubby & I. Together we cared for Clifton, bathed him & changed his dressings daily (don't get me wrong, Stacie helped out as much as she could but she was 8 mos pregnant w/ their first child & still working full-time)... and we did a fine job of caring for our boy, he had no post-release complications! I have never been more thankful to have the husband that I do, than I was @ that time. I am so lucky to have a partner to help shoulder all life's burdens... whether they be picking up the grands @ day care, caring for our injured son or cooking up a family meal, Chris helps me w/ it all & I am very fortunate.

But if you had asked me then what life would be like one year later (& if I had been truly honest), my answer would have been pretty pessimistic. The Dr's certainly didn't give us much reason to be optimistic...they said that Clifton would still require my care, that he would be "disfigured & disabled" (their words still ring through my head). If you had told me then, that just one year later, Clifton would have full mobility in all his limbs, that he would have put in an engine in his truck by himself, that he would be Mr Mom to his baby Noah, that he would be playing semi-pro football again, that he would look this damn good, I'd have said "Talk about some wishful thinking!"


It took a bit more than wishful thinking! It took the powerful prayers of people all across the world, most who didn't even know Clifton. It took the determination & fortitude of an amazing man. It took the love & support of an entire family. And it took the inspiration provided by this little guy here.

I am truly, truly blessed & for that, I thank God.

3 or More Tuesday....bisque cherubs

Hi y'all! I know I've been neglecting my blog lately but frankly, my heart just hasn't been in it. The anniversary of my son's accident was this past week & it has been weighing heavy on my mind. I honestly don't know if I will ever enjoy the 4th of July again. Hubby & I were talking about how surreal it was last year. Clifton's accident was just the day before & there we were, sitting in that hospital waiting room, watching the TV & seeing the celebrations. It just felt so unreal! How could the world go on when our's had stopped? I was afraid that the feelings of "impending doom" would continue on through the summer, repeating my feelings of last year but I felt as if a weight has been lifted as soon as the 4th was past & I'm ready to shake off the lingering feelings of horror & take control of my emotions back.

For today's 3 or More post,hosted every Tuesday by the very talented Tam over @ The Gypsy's Corner, I'd like to share my collection of Lefton bisque cherubs. These are in my bedroom, paired w/ a collection of rose paintings, which I will share soon in another 3 or More post.

This one is my favorite...LOVE the expression on teh face! I have had this one for years & then came across a pair of them on eBay...I kept the single & gave the pair to my granddaughter, Caralyn, on her 1st birthday.

If you have a collection you'd like to share, link up to Tam's blog...it's always fun to visit & see what everyone else is sharing.

Shameless Mom brag!

Excuse me while I do a Mom brag. Many of y'all know of my son's accident, for those of you who don't, you can read about it here & here . I didn't give many details of the accident in those posts (maybe beacsue it was still too raw to talk about) but he was draining diesel fuel someone had mistakenly put into a gasoline-powered car, using an electric fuel pump. Standard practice in the automotive industry but in this instance, something sparked & it all went up in flames...Clifton included. His brother, Dustin, saved his life; ripping his shirt off & covering him w/ a tarp. Diesel fuel does not extinquish easily though & Clifton's burns were very extensive. He suffered 3rd degrees burns on his entire front torso, right thigh (down to the knee), both arms (from the tops of his shoulders down to his fingertips) & both hands. He suffered 4th degree burns on his right hand, which required amputation of 2 fingers. All of these areas were grafted in several surgeries. He also suffered 2nd degree burns on his neck, face, ears, groin & portions of his back but these areas did not require grafting, thank God.

Yesterday he had another burn clinic appointment. He goes to physical therapy twice a week but since his wounds have healed, he only see Drs every 2 months now. The head burn Dr, who is notorious for being harsh in his assessment of the patients & their abilities, told Clifton that he had made more progress than any patient he has had in a very long time... maybe ever. And he did it w/ no release surgeries! (release surgeries are usually necessary for contracture. The scarred skin literally contracts up as it heals & scars, like a rubber band) Clifton works so hard @ stretching, despite the pain, that he breaks open (releases) the scar bands himself. Except for his right hand, he has full range of motion. That's hard to achieve & it usually takes a couple of years...especially w/ burns as severe as his. Clifton has done in it in less than 6 mos! Dr Gabriel also said (& I quote), "Mark this one down in the books...we've had a burn patient quit taking pain meds before they were refused them."

Yep, that's right! Clifton hasn't taken his pain meds in over a month. He says it makes him feel foggy & he doesn't want to be foggy around Noah (he cares for his baby Noah while Stacie is @ work...I'd be happy to do it of course but Clifton wants to do it himself...I do keep Noah 2 days a week though). I cannot tell you how proud I am of my son. He has undergone a tragedy that is beyond most of our comprehension, has pain that, according to his Drs, is the most horrific pain imaginable & he does it all w/ a wonderful, positive attitude & a smile on his face.

This is a picture of Clifton & Stacie taken @ Christmas this year. We were very fortunate that his face didn't scar much. That florid complexion he & I have (& hate!) came in handy for the burns. The Drs told us it kept blood flowing near the surface, which helped skin regeneration. There's a couple of small scars here & there but they'll fade w/ time & he's grown a goatee to cover the scars under his chin. He's still one handsome man, huh?

Here he is w/ his look-alike son, Noah...I call them Frick & Frack. *grins* I've neevr seen a man so bonded to his newborn. I'm sure it's because he is the primary care-giver. We used to tell Clifton, while he was in the hospital, that one good thing would come of his accident....he would get the gift of time w/ his son that most men never get. He takes full advantage of it.

If we all had just a bit of Clifton's strength of character, determination & positive outlook, the world wouldn't be in the mess it's in. He's always wanted to be a hero... I'm sure he imagined it to be a bit more glamorous but he got his wish for he is, indeed, my hero.