Saturday, May 14, 2011

Miracle Man

Today was one of those full circle, miracle kind of days.

I haven’t talked about the following situation a lot here, only a couple of times. But, it has meant the world to me.

Very suddenly in February, my son Sam’s teacher, Mr. Cribby, was hospitalized with a deadly bacterial infection. The infection ravaged his 47 year old body very quickly and relentlessly. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he was flown by helicopter to Denver with surgeons waiting. His left arm and shoulder were amputated and he remained in the ICU for over two months. He was critical for much of that time and losing him was a real possibility.

Slowly, he began to recover. His trache was removed, his lungs became restored, he opened his eyes, he ate applesauce. He smiled. He told his wife he loved her.

Mr. Cribby is no ordinary dude. He is one of the most insightful, good-humored, strong, stubborn, real and encouraging people you or anyone else will ever have the honor of meeting.

While running Boston, I wore my Cribby bracelet that simply said: “Strength. We R 4 Cribby.” I touched it often during the race when times got tough and remembered that if Mr. Cribby could fight for his life so tirelessly I could certainly finish the damn race.

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Just yesterday, Mr. Cribby was released from the hospital. It is truly a miracle. For so long, we really did not know if he would make it. Now, he will likely return to teaching in the fall. My son gets to have the incredible experience of being taught once again by this amazing teacher and mentor.

I have cried and cried over this tragic event. And now I can’t stop smiling.

But, that’s not all.

For the last month a few of us have worked to organize a 5K Fun Run to raise funds for Mr. Cribby. That run happened this morning. Over 700 people signed up and came out on this chilly Colorado morning.

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Including Mr. Cribby. 

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7th grade “Cribby” team:

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I managed the aid station:

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My mom and dad even showed up. My dad likes to do 5Ks with his eyes closed:

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Shut Up and Run was a sponsor:

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I can’t tell you what this has meant for our community. What a story of inspiration and love this has been. Now, I’m crying again, but it’s because of happiness and gratitude, not fear and desperation.

Once again we are reminded how quickly life can take a turn. How important it is to love and take it all in. How today, this hour, this moment is all we’ve truly got. Live so you don’t have regrets, ever.

We R 4 Cribby. And he’s going to make it.

SUAR

Hey, and if you like what you read here, please vote for me by clicking the pink circle in the upper right hand corner of the blog. I’ll love you for it.

55 comments:

  1. This is so wonderful and inspiring. :)

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  2. Great story. Glad to hear he's getting better.

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  3. What an amazing story of an incredible man and what he has meant to the community. You had me crying too.

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  4. What an amazing day. Glad he is finally home!

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  5. I am so so happy to hear this news!!! And what a great thing you all did with the 5k. I can only imagine what emotional support Mr. C got from it as well as the financial. People really do love to help other people, you just have to ask sometimes.

    I really appreciate hearing some good news today; we're waiting to hear if my sister's life has taken another turn after surviving 2 different cancers; her last scan showed something had changed and we await biopsy results.

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  6. It is awesome to have such a positive update! I am so glad Mr. Cribby is doing well and going home :) I havebeen wondering how things were going with him since you told us of his illness. What a wonderful community you live in :)

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  7. I love this ...... and so get the "happiness and gratitude" part.

    Great post, myfriend.

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  8. What a powerful story of the power of the human spirit and will! Mr. Cribby is definitely a Miracle Man.

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  9. what an awesome man! Thank you for sharing this with us!

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  10. Wow, what a truly amazing man! Congrats on the very successful fundraiser!!!

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  11. Wow what an amazing story. What a great tribute today for Mr. cribby!!

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  12. What an amazing story. I can't imagine how Mr. Cribby must have felt to show up at that 5k and see all that his community is doing for him.

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  13. Awesome!!! What a celebration that he got to be there for the race.

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  14. Awesome story & terrific that you organized the 5K!!

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  15. This is just incredible. Sooo glad to hear that Mr. Cribby is doing better and out of the hospital.

    It's truly amazing what a community can do when they band together, and I'm sure you were a driving force behind this. Congratulations to all and continued good wishes to the guest of honor!

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  16. Wow! That's an amazing story. So great that he was able to be there for the race.

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  17. Absolutely incredible Beth!!! Mr. Cribby's strength is totally magnified by the community coming together like this. When the things people do make me sad, I'll remember you, your community, and Mr. Cribby...be well wishes go out to him and his family and friends! <3

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  18. Hi;-)
    what a wonderful story.

    thanks for sharing and spreading the good love and energy;)

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  19. What an inspirng story. Organising the fun 5k run was a superb example for the children in the community. Very well done!

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  20. Thanks for sharing this story! What a blessing that the teaching profession will be blessed by keeping one of it's best.

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  21. What a beautiful story! So happy to hear about Mr. Cribby! I am a teacher also. I ran a 5K this morning for a former student battling brain cancer. Lots of supporters ran for her this morning too. Thanks for sharing Beth! :)

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  22. What a WONDERFUL story Beth!! So happy to hear that Mr. Cribby is home and doing so well!

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  23. Love this. Mr. Cribby is an inspiration!

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  24. I've thought of Mr Cribby over the past months and wondered how he's doing. So glad to read this update.

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  25. What a wonderful story with a positive outcome. Is there a fund for him set up to take donations? If so, would you share it with me. You got my vote-I look forward to my daily dose of SUAR.

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  26. What a truly amazing and inspiring post!! That is such good news that not only is he out of the hospital but was able to come to the 5K and start teaching again! Truly a miracle!!

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  27. Got my vote, and my admiration for helping to put that 5k together for an amazing person. So many things are so very good about this whole post. Truly happy for Mr. Cribby.

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  28. Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. You almost had me crying with that last quote! It is so easy for us to run around all day and forget to live life and how precious it is.

    Amazing story!

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  30. That one hit me. I am 47. I am touched by this post and very much respect you for what you have done. Bravo young lady.

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  31. It's all so truly beautiful. You guys are incredible for putting that run together, and he is one strong man.

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  32. AMazing! Love that the whole community came out and supported. You are absolutely right. Life can change in a heartbeat. I clicked on the red button to vote. But does that count as a vote? I was directed to the site for most popular fitness blogs. Is there another click on that site that counts the votes?

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  33. In a world that seems so full of bad news sometimes, inspirational and heartwarming stories like this are so welcome. Also, I voted for you. Because you magically weave stories about poop with stories that make me all emotional. Bravo!

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  34. God is SO good. And my vote for you cast.

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  35. I have tears in my eyes as I read this. What an awesome story! I have voted, as well. :)

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  36. I love the photo of Mr. Cribby in front of his house. : )

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  37. Just voted...thanks for the reminder that life is good!!

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  38. Just voted - I think you're now 3rd!!!

    I'm taking a moment to enjoy the awesomness of just being alive right now - what an awesome person is Mr. Cribby!!

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  39. I'm all teary now too!

    And of COURSE I voted.

    (Duh - winning!) :)

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  40. Thank you for sharing the story with us. It's so nice to hear a story with such a great ending.

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  41. I love it! You have brought the community together for a wonderful cause and that he was able to be there too is simply the best!

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  42. I love this story and of course I voted for you.

    What a terrific role model you are for your son and his classmates, too.

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  43. So inspiring! That is wonderful that so many people came out for the race. Kudos to you for organizing it. Hope he continues to recover quickly.

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  44. Wow. What an inspiration and touching story.

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  45. Hurray for Mr Cribby! What a tremendous fight. Yay you for organizing the fun run. Very touching.

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  46. Beautiful and touching post! Awesome :D

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  47. Amazing story! So glad he's recovering. Sounds like it was pretty touch and go. Good work organizing the race.

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  48. This post demonstrates something I've been thinking about--my heroes are people who face tragedy and suffering w/ great hope & dignity. I live and teach in AL, and we have students who have lost multiple family members, homes because of the tornadoes. The same week, a fellow teacher was diagnosed with brain cancer and had surgery. The day I ran my first marathon, my kick-ass Russian sports therapist friend who has been devastated by cancer broke 3 bones by just standing to turn off a light switch. Yes, life can take tragic turn, but there are SO MANY MIRACLES in the midst of suffering!

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  49. What an amazing thing to have 700 people show up for this event. Nice work! :)

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  50. I remember you mentioning awhile ago about Mr. Cribby, how fantastic that he has been released from the hospital and how tremendous he must feel to have so many supportive people who care about him!

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  51. Truly an amazing story. That's really cool with the sponsorship too.

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