Saturday, February 14, 2009

My Brother & His Father's Heart - Letter to the Editor of the Wichita Falls Times Newspaper



I've been deeply touched with the out pouring of the love and prayers by so many of my Twitter Friends and family.

Yesterday, my father, sent the following letter to
Deanna, the Chief Editor of Wichita Falls Times and Record News. She responded immediately to my fathers letter. With his permission, I'm adding to my blog today.

Last Thursday, my brother Rick, was brutally beaten with some kind of instrument in the head by unknown people. The circumstances surrounding this attempted murder are unknown as well. His skull was split open as well as the right side being crushed. He spent approximately three hours in surgery.

Today, my parents called - there is no reaction to any family member's voices and his legs move involuntarily. Needless to say, I'm so incredibly sad and in between baking bread and kissing babies, I find myself weeping.

I don't know what the outcome will be. I do know that God knows and He sees and that His hand is on this situation. In that, I must trust. Again, thank you for all the encouragement, prayers and love. It deeply touches me and my family.

Deana
I have written you before when you first became editor. My note is not about publicity but about a wider more acute problem this community with it's pockets of crime and drugs that need addressed..


My son age 50 is the elder son of four siblings with an elder daughter living in Scottsdale, Az. Son has always lived on the fringes of the law, for instance defying the city code and receiving numerous code violations on his property. He has been a user of the wacky weed and who knows what else. He is a talented child and more often than not willing to get involved and help someone in need. He lives in an antiquated trailer off from Iowa Park Rd without utilities and much to the chagrin of code enforcement he gets numerous code enforcement citations. He has spent numerous days in our local pokey on his principals which may not conform to society's standards.

I can't explain his choice in life. This gifted son chose his own road. But there is no reason to have the following happen.

On Tuesday afternoon in the vicinity of Kemp and Winona he was brutally assaulted with a baseball bat or other unknown instrument. From what little I know he stumbled into a day care business on Kemp and somehow arrived at URHC and has been ICU on life support to this time. The surgeons speculated that he had numerous blows to the head and it will be a miracle if he ever recovers. If he does he will probably will be a vegetable and a burden on the community and it's taxpayers.

There has been no mention of this assault in the media. This community has a violent person on the loose that has committed heinous crime and needs to be apprehended. We parents grieve for our son but we do not wish this happen to another in our community.

Your help and understanding would be appreciated. I have attached a photo of our son. Sincerely,


Richard. H.....

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21 comments:

mamikaze said...

Peace be with you and your family. Your brother is in my prayers.

Local Girl said...

Thinking of you and your family at this terrible time ((hugs))

Alexis said...

Oh Lylah, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. We are praying!!

Amy said...

Oh Lylah... my goodness.
Please know that your brother has been and will continue to be in my prayers. Jesus knows. He knows who hurt your brother, and that will not go unnoticed. Praying for healing for him in every way.

Hugs.. Amy

Sfaulk said...

Lylah, I wish I had some magical words to say that would make it all go away and the sadness would leave your heart. I don't - but I promise that I will stand next to you during this season and offer my love and friendship in whatever way I can. Love and prayers Sandy

bichonpawz said...

My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Blessings, Jeanne

Praise and Coffee said...

I'm so sorry, there is no excuse for this awful behavior.
Praying for him.
Sue

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. I will be praying for your brother.

Anonymous said...

Saw your link on Twitter to this. How very very sad. I'm so sorry for your family. I will remember him in my prayers, and hope that whoever has done this will be ratted out and caught. God has a way of unveiling the truth in His time.

Amy said...

Lylah - I'm so deeply sorry. I hope that they find whoever did this horrible thing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

This is heartbreaking. I can't imagine what your family is going through right now. Please know you're in our thoughts and prayers!

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

Sending you thoughts and prayers. No one should ever have to go through this.

lynnmosher said...

Oh, Lylah. I'm so sorry for this awful attack on your brother. I know you are grieving and I also know that your parents' hearts are shattered and devastated as well. I will be praying for all of you. May the Lord comfort you.

kellyl said...

Lylah, All around the world at all times are random acts of vioence and randamon acts of kindness, charity and hope. On never knows why someone is the recipient of either.
From my own experience, I know that only by doing acts of "tikkun olam" - "repairing the world", do we as a people have any hope of making sure that good always outweighs the forces of evil.
Find some way to use this horrific act against your brother to rebalance the forces of good in our world by doing random acts of kindness in his name.
Do not spend time hating his aggressors, null their evil by creating great deeds. Perhaps the daycare your brother stumbled into for help, is the gateway to bringing joy. You will know the answer.
May you and your family find peace by "doing" in your brother's name.

Debs said...

This made me cry.. I am so sorry this happened to your brother. We are praying for him to have a complete healing and that he feels the love of Jesus in this and gets close to him. Please keep us posted.

Love,
Deb

Anonymous said...

(Also coming over from Twitter) What a horrific nightmare for you and your family. I am truly sorry, and join my prayers with all of the others who are thinking of you today.

Vista Gal said...

Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family for a miracle.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Dear friend, I am praying for you and your family, what a terrible and heartbreaking thing to go through. I'm so sad for you all.

melissa

6 Happy Hearts said...

Lifting up your brother & family in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear this, he will be in my prayers!!!

Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC said...

Lylah and family, I'm so sorry that this happened, but glad that it seems like you have a receptive editor, and more importantly a strong family with lots of love that will carry you through. Sending wishes of health, strength, and love.