On a sunny and mild fall day in October, Sylvia Wynn and Brandon Brock packed his BMW SUV to leave the mountains en route to Winston-Salem. They were going to attend homecoming. They were both excited, because neither of them had been to homecoming in fifteen years.
It was amazing how the majestic mountains seemed to soothe their souls as they traveled. The red, yellow, orange, brown, and green hue of the leaves on the trees and ground tempted viewers to remove their shoes and frolic in them. They didn't but they were tempted.Water dripped down boulders singing a melodic tune reminiscent of a spring rain. This created the kind of peace that gave a one of a kind impression of a heart reaching out to God. There was no other feeling that could compare. Sylvia and Brandon shared moments of love that breathtaking day.
As they reached the foothill headed toward the piedmont, reality was restored but peace remained. Sylvia had arranged to meet one of her college friends who had a reservation at the same hotel.They registered and took their luggage to the room, then they went to the campus where the band strutted and marched their way through the streets.On their way to the alumni house they found Margaret, Sylvia's former roommate and the friend she was meeting. They smiled broadly as they rushed toward each other and hugged. They were both elated to see each other after so many years.They went to the alumni house to purchase tickets for the concert and dinner that would take place that night. Disappointment assailed as they learned that the event was sold out. They wouldn't allow themselves to remain unhappy, because that would ruin their week end.
They decided instead to go to the hotel's bar to talk and enjoy each other then later to go to a restaurant for dinner.Wallace, Margaret's former boyfriend, called her cell phone then came to the bar to join them. Brandon had been a senior their freshman year, but he and Wallace remembered each other, because they were both on the football team back in the day. They laughed and had fun for a couple of hours, then Brandon told them that he needed a nap. The others decided to go to dinner.
After dinner they went to Margaret's room, which was next door to Sylvia and Brandon's room. Sylvia called Brandon and asked him to come over, which he did. They laughed, talked, and shared a few drinks. That day had been fun, but the hotel was quiet because most of the people there had gone to the coliseum for the concert and dinner.
Later, Brandon and Sylvia noticed that Margaret and Wallace needed time alone, so they hugged and agreed to meet for breakfast the next morning.
Brandon kissed her while they were in the hall, then they went inside to prepare for bed. As soon as Sylvia tied her scarf on her head, she grabbed her head groaning, "My head really hurts!" She passed out and Brandon almost panicked when he realized that she was in the throes of a seizure. He grabbed her toothbrush and put it in her mouth, then he rushed to Margaret's room and blurted, "There's something wrong with Sylvia!" She and Wallace ran into the room and saw Sylvia on the floor. The seizure had passed but she was not lucid. Margaret was afraid that she'd died. She immediately called for help while Brandon sat on the bed, unable to do anything.
The paramedics arrived and Brandon rode with them to the hospital where doctors asked question after question. He wondered why they were talking to him when Sylvia needed their help. After watching their unsure faces for about an hour, he stated, "She complained about her head." The light of understanding brightened the doctors' faces. They decided to send her for an MRI, and later determined that she'd had an aneurysm.They asked Brandon for his permission to operate, but he wanted to call her mother, which he was allowed to do. Three hours later her mother and sister walked into the waiting room. Their presence brought about a sense of calm.
Wallace and Margaret waited to see Sylvia. He tried unsuccessfully to console her, for her tears were profuse. When she'd made the decision to come to homecoming she hadn't expected to be sitting in an emergency room on that early Saturday morning.When Audrey, Sylvia's mother, and Amber, her sister first walked in, Brandon introduced them. Talking with Margaret helped them to understand just how serious Sylvia's condition was. Amber wanted to talk with Margaret alone, but that wouldn't happen until after they spoke with the doctor.
The doctor took them into the room in twos. Audrey and Amber went in first. He explained Sylvia's condition which was scary enough, but they looked at her lying there appearing to be dead. Amber broke down. What had happened to her sister? It was all so unreal. Fear gripped mother and sister.
Margaret and Wallace were taken in next. She noticed the monitors connected to her friend. Noticing her blood pressure, which was extremely high, she cried, "My friend will never be the same!" Wallace embraced this scared, distraught, wonderful lady.
Audrey would not give up on her baby. She wouldn't shed a tear, she couldn't because Sylvia needed her strength. Amber sat alone in a corner of the waiting room crying. A man moved next to her and asked why she was so upset. She explained, between sobs, the facts of her sister's condition.He told her that his name was Sam King, and his daughter had been in a car accident. He wasn't sure that she'd make it. Amber asked, "How can you be so calm?
"He asked, "Do you believe in God?" She told him that she did. "Then why are you so upset?" Those questions were unexpected, but he was right. Her emotions took a rapid turn. She silently prayed and knew without a doubt that Sylvia would be all right. She'd met her angel during that early morning hour.
The doctors performed the operation and afterward Sylvia was placed in ICU. Audrey, Brandon, and Amber waited in recovery until the anaesthesia wore off. When it did, she was anxious and attempted to pull the tube from her head. This frightened them. The doctor rushed over and, using an instrument that looked like a staple gun, connected the tube to her head. Amber knew that the anaesthesia hadn't completely worn off, because Sylvia didn't make a sound. Brandon cringed and had to leave the room. Sylvia looked as if she had to be in excruciating pain. He couldn't take it.
Later that day she was taken out of ICU and put in a private room. She didn't look much better at that point. Her eyes were blood red and staples held her head together, but her mind was crystal clear. She was on her way to a complete recovery.Many people at home had already heard about her illness and prayers went up for her recovery and safe trip home. She indeed did recover and moved on with her life.
