I'm Jerry's sister from Phoenix - Jamie - or as Jer calls me "Jammer Jones" ;O) Today marks three weeks or 22 looonnngg days since Jer's accident. I wish all of you could have seen him then and see him now - his recovery is truly nothing short of miraculous! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and unending gratitude to all of you - his true blue friends - who not only helped pray him through this - but provided an incredible amount of support to me and the rest of my family. There are no words that can convey the unquantifiable amount of THANKS due to each of you. But I will try......
To his Dallas friends who rallied at the hospital every day and never left us alone for a minute: Roger & Gina (and Zach), Rick & Renee (and Delaney), Sally (she is truly an angel unaware!), Shawn & Kim, Keith & Sheila, Jeff (Big Sexy), Keith (Sconey) and his former roommate Ken, Big Joe, Jamir & Gary, Tim, Gary & Stephanie, Steve, Dano, Scott, Mary, Donna, Ted & Stacy - the constant support of your presence and your prayers held us together.
There were literally dozens of other friends who called, visited and prayed for Jerry - please know that even though I have not listed you by name - your faces are etched in my heart forever and I will never forget your kindness to my brother!
To Jody - his future wife: for those of you who don't know the story - Jerry and Jody dated about 23 years ago - she was his first and only true love. About a year ago God brought them back together and without a doubt I would not have been able to get through this without her! Having someone by my side constantly who I know loves Jerry to the same depth that I do was comforting. Also her nursing background really gave the family assurance - as she knew what questions to ask and could explain things to us clearly. Jody - you are a ROCK and I love that you love my brother so much. As mom said - you were born to be a Gallimore - you just took a detour. I sure am glad you're back girlfriend.
To his out of state friends who stayed in constant contact with us via phone, text and emails: The Webers in Tucson (Sandy, Beth, Susan, Kim), Michigan Mike & Julie - his hunting buddy, Kevin (a childhood friend in AZ) and his mom Sharon, Kevin from CA (Jody's brother), June, and all his American Airlines brothers from Tucson who sent their love and prayers. (Jer started his career there in 1988 before transferring to Dallas!) And all his new friends in Iowa - Bruce and Susan (nice decorating job on the house! She tied yellow caution tape instead of 'yellow ribbons' all over Jerry and Jody's house to welcome him home!) And I can't forget all of the sweet old ladies at the nursing home Jody works at who have been praying for him. Also to Pastor Dave & Cheryl in Michigan and their wonderful church. (A childhood friend of my moms!)
To our parents Bonnie and Big Jer (an honorary 'Bullet Brother' - Roger and Rick will get this one!) Thank you for raising such an outstanding young man - my baby brother Jerry! He has always been highly loved and respected inside of our family -but finding out just how many people feel the same way about him as we do was an incredible gift and a testament to the fine young man you raised!
To his extended family Jacque (who set this blog up for him!) & Ken and his precious nieces Lizzy and Lauren - you will ALWAYS be part of our family! Marie and Eddie (who have opened their home to us during his extended recovery) - who knew that 30 years ago when you walked into my life that we would be part of so many adventures together. You are the sister I always wanted - God just delivered you into my life via another mother ;O) Aunt Joyce and Cousin Kimmie, Matthew - thanks for the long distance love! Uncle Bruce and Aunt Marge in Tucson - thanks for your prayers and getting your entire church to prayer for Jerry!
To American Airlines management who treated us like royalty and took care of every need before we even knew we had one: Margo, Lynda, Dan, Mark - you are a credit to your profession and some of the most compassionate people I've ever met.
To the Unions Guys who treated Jerry and us like family: Darrin, Tony, John and Big Ron. It was obvious you guys weren't just doing you 'job' but that you really care!
To my church/employer (North Ridge Community Church - AZ) who allowed me the amazing gift of taking three unplanned weeks off to stay with my brother here in Dallas: Pastors Mike and Dan, Linda, Lisa, Marie, Debbie, Edwina, Bill and the rest of the amazing staff - you will never know how much your support meant to me. I really did not give 'work' a second thought as I knew my entire team was rallying to get the job done back home. You guys rock!
To Parkland Hospital and the amazingly talented physicians, nurses and therapists: there are too many of you to name - but know that we still pray for you all as you continue being God's tools. You don't have a job you have a calling - what you do on a daily basis to put broken bodies and lives back together is incredible. May God bless you and your families tenfold the amount that you have blessed us!
To the Paramedics and EMS staff who so quickly responded to the accident scene and were able to get Jerry out of the truck and to the hospital in record time. It was no 'coincidence' his accident happened just yards away from the fire station. They even came to the airport and signed Jerry's get well card!
To Crown Plaza staff - especially the shuttle drivers Tyson and Joe who became our friends and joined us in praying for Jerry. You helped make our unexpected stay as comfortable as possible and never complained as you quickly took us back and forth to the hospital at a moments notice. Your kindness blessed us.
To our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ: I saved the best for last! From day one we have been holding on to the promise in James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise him up. Thank you Jesus for answering the thousands of prayers for my beloved brother. He was on prayer chains in churches all over the world, on numerous websites and blogs, even other families in ICU prayed for him. It was amazing to see the family of faith literally come out of the woodwork to lift him in prayer. Father we don't know why You have chosen this family to extend such amazing grace and mercy to - but we welcome it and our lives will never be the same because of it. We pledge to You to always share the overflow of Your love You have so abundantly poured into our lives with Your other children. We know that You love each and every one of us with an unconditional love - a love we will never be able to fully comprehend this side of heaven. Thank You for loving us so much that You sacrificed Your own Son on the cross to restore our relationship with You. (John 3:16 For God so loved the word, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.)
Well - I have to pack now - headed back to Phoenix for awhile. Until we meet again my new friends ;O)
Gratefully His,
Jammer Jones (Jerry's sister and #1 fan always!!!)
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WOW..............what a wonderful thing to compose.....You remembered everyone down to the van drivers...I see where Jerry get's his strength from to fight so hard to survive...Even though we have never met you sound like a wonderful sister and woman....GOD IS SO VERY GOOD.... Your family is very BLESSED. Thank you all for letting us know how Jerry has been doing. I still continue to pray for him and your family. M.Licce
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