What a difference a day makes

I am still in shock. I'm in tears much of the day and there isn't anything I can do to help, which makes matters worse.

What am I talking about? This story http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/42056217.html is about my older brother, Spencer. He was hiking with friends when they realized that they were no longer on the path they wanted to be on. They were turning around, when the other three men heard a slip and there was no Spencer with them. They looked down the ridge, and there was my brother (the one on the left) just lying there.

Almost all my siblings made it to be by his side that night, and I didn't. I feel guilty and sad and ache that we didn't drive over that night. I hope he and his wife know we wanted to be there.

Spence is fighting in a Grand Junction hospital. Spence landed (they think) first on his left wrist, which was completely shattered (doctor's have pieced it back together as best they can) then the left side of his head. His eye is currently in stable condition, but it may have to be taken later. He is heavily sedated, but when they lower the amounts, he has "appropriate responses." Doctors are optimistic that he will recover almost completely, but that he will remain unconscious for the next two weeks. He is not paralysed, thank heavens.

Please include Spencer in your prayers. Every little bit helps.