11/27 - Dad's Update

Hi,

I haven't posted to the blog in a few days as I have been too distraught or busy with Courtney to post. It seems that the 12 days have passed with a blur and endless cycle of sitting by Courtney's bedside, praying or napping in the waiting room chair.
We have been witness to the testimony of devout Faith, Family and Friendship. We are truly humbled at the level of love and compassion from Courtney's friends, URI Students, Courtney's former teachers and coaches at LaSalle Academy. A co-worker sent us a very moving letter. In this letter she included a picture of twenty five or so young Army solders in a "prayer circle" in Iraq praying for our daughter's health. One of the soldiers is her son. One cannot imagine the anxiety that these soldiers and their parents go through on a daily basis and yet these brave men took the time to ask God for the restoration of Courtney's health. Thank-you to the members of the US Army 1st Calvery who prayed for Courtney.



Many people have heard stories about Courtney from either myself, Diane, our daughters or friends. The Monday evening after Courtney's accident one of Courtney's former teachers at LaSalle stopped by at 9:00PM to offer his prayers and support, he also brought a card for her that he had taken a moment to create. We would like everyone to take a few minutes to read the text of his card. The words are both comforting and inspiring.

A Prayerful Reflection for Courtney Hollingworth
Pencil abruptly taken off the paper, head shoots back, while your shoulder length hair slightly sways....Ummmm....Mr. Carty (huh)...This may be a dumb question...but...

Courtney, never has anyone asked more relevant, thoughtful, intelligent questions than you. This is your gift; you serve as the voice of your peers. The questions that drift through all our minds, the questions that most are never willing to ask. The questions that at first glance appear simple or trivial, but in the end are the questions that lead us to the truth.

You have always had the gift to uncover the truth. Watching you in awe as you considered the world around you. Someone who values the gift of friendship, and made mornings exciting as she surrounded herself with loving friends chatting about the nuances of life. Someone who knows how to love, a hopeless romantic often teary eyed at her locker because she wears her heart on her sleeve, a vulnerability that few in our world ever encounter but those who do love with the fullness of their hearts.

While speaking to your father on Monday night a man so clearly driven by the intense love of his daughter I was practically moved to tears when I discovered your dedicated involvement to the Presidential candidate of your choice. I always knew that you careful reflection would lead you to act as a force for change in our world.

I am so very proud of you, and so very confident that you of all people are carefully and reflectively fighting your way back to your family, to your friends, and to the ones that love you the most.