A Miracle, A Superhero, and Being Frankly Positive

A Story of Grief, Hope and Joy

In this period of turmoil throughout the world I offer up this story of overcoming challenges and what is supposed to happen. The hope is that it will bring us all a bit of Joy in what can happen when you put a Miracle Man together with a Superhero Woman!

On March 12, 2019 my friend Mark Hinson was out on an early morning ride on his bicycle not too far from his home in Gallatin, TN. He was involved in an accident with a car going approximately 45-55 mph. It was a horrific accident for all involved but this is the moment that Mark moves from an extraordinarily fit 61 year old to Miracle Mark. Those collecting him to rush him to the hospital were not hopeful of his survival but they did not know of the strength of the Man involved and the Superhero that is his partner.

When we gathered at the hospital his family and friends were given little hope and this was a period where we (or at least me) were filled with grief but we had also underestimated the toughness, will to live and fitness of the Miracle Mark.

I even failed miserably in trying to give the family a pep talk that there was hope. But one amongst us did not need a pep talk as long as Miracle Mark was breathing Sue ,his wife ,knew there was a way and this is why for me, she is always going forward known as Super Sue. Her mental and physical strength was that of a Superhero, she was positive, hopeful and the giver of strength to family, friends and care givers. She pretty much lived at the hospital for the period that the Miracle Man was at high risk. Super Sue studied and researched everything that was and could be done to enhance Mark’s recovery. The healthcare givers did a tremendous job in the recovery of Miracle Mark but their efforts were enhanced by Super Sue being there to aid them in every situation.

As you may have surmised in a little over a year to this day Miracle Mark has gone from the above picture to doing very well today! He can play golf and swim and enjoys everyday as a gift given to him to celebrate with his Superhero partner!

I hope at a later date to do a story that we delve into how they both found the strength to overcome the many challenges they each faced in this Miracle story.

The frankly positive part is the way in which this story changed me and my life hopefully going forward. As I was flying to Tennessee to see Mark (before becoming Miracle Mark) I was overcome in that I realized that I had not expressed to him how much he meant to me and how proud of my friend’s accomplishments I was. We had always been two friends that sort of let things be understood rather than said. We were more interested in needling each other than in getting down to the fact that we were important figures in each other’s lives. The lesson that I have taken forward from my friends Miracle Mark and Super Sue facing of their tremendous challenges is that it is Great on both sides to tell people how much they have meant to your life. This is special for the giver of these communications and for the receiver of these special words.

So to Super Sue, Miracle Mark and to all those whom have made my life special and worthwhile thank you until I get around (which hopefully is not too long) to speaking with you in person. Today I can tell my Superhero that I live with how much she makes everyday a holiday even (or especially when we are on lockdown).

Going to try to put out an uplifting message as often as possible over the next few weeks or months as Miracle Mark and Super Sue show us it is amazing what can be done with Hope, Belief and Determination!