Sometimes life comes hard and fast. This has been one of those weeks when I have realized that fact. A good friend from North Carolina lost her mother. Another long time friend from our Navy days lost her father. I am in that age range now where this is a common occurrence for deaths of those we are close to. Since the beginning of the year we have made 3 memorial donations and that is hard to imagine.
As I talked with my good friend about the chaos that goes into getting things ready for the service to celebrate the life of her dad, the appointments, the paperwork, the legalities, the cleaning out of things and just the overwhelmingness of it all I had to laugh at her comment that her life is one of “reconfiguring”. Like the GPS unit that has to reconfigure when you take an alternate route—life sometimes throws us for a loop and we have to continually readjust and reconfigure. I loved the thought of that and today I am going to do some reconfiguring because of another event which has happened to a blogger friend of mine.
Nina Hedin is a Minnesota blogger that I “met” through Bernie of One Mixed Bag. Nina blogs over at The Adventures of Artsy Nina and she also has an awesome vintage Etsy shop called Camp Honeybelle. Nina is one of those ladies that just exudes good vibes. Her blog sometimes features her sweet children, Jack and baby June, and her husband Tom. What first drew me to her blog was that they bought a 1884 house and what all that entailed. I can not imagine!!! She is a talented writer, creative in every way and just an all round good ole midwestern type gal.
Over the weekend Nina got that dreaded knock on the door. Her husband had gone snowmobiling and she had not heard from him for hours or been able to reach him. What happened is still unclear but suffice it to say Tom had a horrible accident and was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis . The road ahead is going to be reconfigured for them. Most likely every day will bring new adjustments and challenges. It is not going to be easy. But it is a good world that we live in that we can share this with others who can lift this precious family up in prayer and offer financial assistance as they can.
Do I know Nina and Tom??? Well as much as I know any of these blogging buddies that I am honored to call friends. I know in my heart of hearts that they deserve to feel the outpouring of love that we can all show them. They have started a Caring Bridge site where updates will be posted about Tom’s progress regularly. Just click here and it will take you to Tom’s page. (You may have to set up an account if you have never viewed Caring Bridge before—it is simple and then you can look for ThomasHedin). They have also very wisely set up a donation site online which will give folks a place to safely support them financially. Any amount will help. Nothing is too small. If you feel so inclined I would love for you to check it out and make a small donation by clicking here on the Give Forward website.
I wanted to share with you some words that were on the Give Forward website to give you an indication of what the need truly is:
Tom sustained multiple serious injuries, including a brain hemorrhage on January 5th during a snowmobile accident. Injuries listed from top to bottom; brain hemorrhage and complications, fractured orbital (eye) socket, facial lacerations, fractured T6 vertebrae, broken and dislocated right wrist, broken left elbow and fractured upper arm, left knee cap broken with severed tendon and puncture wound, right knee ligament injury. He faces a long, hard road to recovery. As of yet we are unsure of the extent of damage to the brain, and the recovery time/therapy needed for his limbs and back will take months. Tom supported his wife, three year old son Jack and baby daughter June. We’ve just learned that he does not qualify for FMLA as he was only with his new employer for 6 months.
Photo courtesy of Nina Hedin
So I am going to do my own reconfiguring this month and adjust my Comments for a Cause for both January and February to go to the Tom Hedin fund. It is the least I can do. My apologies to the United Way of Western Connecticut but this one comes way closer to my heart today and will for a long time. Please keep this family “Showered with Love ” and if you can’t make your own donation please make sure you comment without ceasing here in January and February. You know I always have something to say and love to hear your comments.
Other bloggers are posting similar posts and as those posts go live I will update the list below with their blog links. Please click on the links below and see what they have to say. Thank you.
In her own words —Nina Hedin at Artsy Nina
Bernie at One Mixed Bag
Audrey at Minnesota Prairie Roots
Michele at Living on Less
Diane at Tangled in Kudzu
41 Comments
Leave a commentI’m sorry to hear of this tragedy, Beth Ann. I will try to get back with a donation when I have a little more time. It is a good thing you are doing.
Thanks, Christine. You have a lot going on in your own corner of the world, don’t you? I am keeping you covered in my prayers also. Thanks.
What a horrible accident…I can’t believe the extent of his injuries. My heart goes out to them. Life can change so drastically and within seconds.
Thanks, TBM. It has been about the only thing on my mind since I heard the news.
That is so sad, how horrible for that family! I always thought snowmobiling would be fun but now I’m not so sure . . . this doesn’t sound like any fun!
It is horrible and I think it was one of those freak things as from all indications he was a very safe and careful snowmobiler. Just please keep them in your prayers.
This is just terrible. Not something I wanted to read first thing in the morning. But it’s reality, isn’t it? My heart goes out to Nina and her kids and the rest of the family. I wish Tom all the best on his road to recovery. I will do what I can to help! The world needs more people like you in it, Beth Ann!!!
Thank you, Susi—I know it is not something that was easy to read but I just am really overwhelmed for them and want everyone to be praying. Thank you for your kind words.
[…] Then click here to read a post by Beth Ann from Iowa at It’s Just Life. For every comment posted to her blog during January and February, Beth Ann is donating 50 cents to the Hedin family for medical expenses. This is part of Beth Ann’s ongoing “Comments for a Cause” campaign. So simply by commenting on any of Beth Ann’s posts during the next two months, you will be helping Tom, Nina, Jack and June. […]
Thanks for all you are doing for Nina, Tom, Jack and June, Beth Ann. Your heart overflows with goodness. You are the best, dear friend. The best.
The feeling is very mutual, my friend. Thank you.
I continue to be amazed at how blogging can make a difference in the lives of others, in a good way, when a blogger chooses “the good way.” Your Comments for a Cause is a prime example of that.
God works in mysterious and wonderful ways. This is the first time I have been to your blog and I hear about this tragedy. I will surely be lifting this family up in prayer. How sweet of you to do what you are doing for them. May God bless this effort. I will be glad to help them out.
Thank you so much Jayne, for the sweet comment and most especially for the prayers for the Hedin family. It is people like you who help make a difference in the world and I am so grateful that you took the time to comment! Blessings!
Beth Ann, thank you for making them your cause the next couple of months. I know Nina and the family will so appreciate it! Your post turned out great. Just as I knew it would!!
Thanks, Bernie!!! Let’s start a tsunami of love for them!
[…] Ann at It’s Just Life, Reconfiguring? You Betcha! For every comment you leave on her blog in January and February, she will donate 50 cents toward […]
Oh, my. I am praying for this beautiful family . Will pass along on my blog as well. So happy you have made this your comments for a cause. The blogging community is like a family and that is evident by the coming together during a time of need.
Thanks so much, Diane! I agree. We all kind of stick together in times of need and that is what is the most beautiful part of what we do on our blogs!!! Thanks again!
You are amazing & an inspiration. It seems like we often are on the same wavelength, even though we may go in different ways with it. Bless you for what you do.
Well aren’t you just so sweet to say that!!! Thank you, McGuffy Ann. I think you are pretty cool, too!
[…] about the Tom Hedin Family is one that I want to keep in everyone’s minds. If you missed it please click here and it will take you right to the post. I know that they really appreciate all the prayers and good vibes we can send their way. […]
[…] about the Tom Hedin Family is one that I want to keep in everyone’s minds. If you missed it please click here and it will take you right to the post. I know that they really appreciate all the prayers and good vibes we can send their way. […]
[…] will close today with Beth Ann’s beautiful words “…Please keep this family Showered with Love.” Thank you for taking the time today to read and […]
What a well written piece! I love that our blogging community comes together when bad things happen. I am honored to know you, Audrey, Bernie and of course Nina. Thanks for being such a great blogger buddy to all of us. 🙂
Michele–it is pretty amazing how we all pull together, isn’t it??? But in a wonderful way!
I certently will include the Hedin faimily in my prayers. Such a beautiful little family with a lot to go through ahead of them.
Thank you so much. They have a long road ahead.
So sorry to hear about this BA. I’m lifting them in prayer.
Thanks, Debbie!
Thanks for the links, and your generous spirit. Praying for this young family.
Thanks, Patti. Progress is being made slowly but prayers are what is going to make it all happen.
[…] This is the first time I have have done this but I am changing my Comments for a Cause for the month due to a need that I found out about that really hit very close to home. Please click here to be taken to the blog post that explains the new cause for January and February … […]
I first learned about Tom Hardin’ family from One Mixed Bag & I am so glad you are using your Comments for a Cause to raise money for the family. My prayers are with the family!
Thank you so much for your prayers and your being a part of our ripple of love!!! They can definitely use them!
[…] Thursday this week I wrote a post about the Hedin family—you can read the original post by clicking right here. It will take you to the post in a new window and then you can come right back if you missed it. […]
THis is a fine example of how the blogging community supports each other. Blessing to you Beth Ann and to the Hedin family.
[…] husband of blogger Nina who I spread the word about almost 2 weeks ago. You can read the original post by clicking here. In a nutshell Tom was in a horrible snowmobiling accident and suffered unbelievable injuries. The […]
[…] also wanted to update you all a bit on Tom Hedin who I blogged about here. Tom was in a horrible snowmobiling accident and suffered multiple debilitating injuries. A […]
[…] Tom Hedin Medical Expense fund. If you want to read more about Tom and why he has a medical fund you can click right here and a new window will open up with a link to my first post about Tom and his wife– my blogger […]
[…] Back in January and February I had a very special Comments for a Cause. If you were following my blog then you will remember the story of Tom Hedin, husband to Nina of the wonderful The Adventures of Artsy Nina blog. Tom was severely injured in a snowmobile accident in Minnesota and recovery was slow and painful. There were days that I am sure they all wondered what was going to happen next. Here is a link to my initial post about Tom. […]