Tragic Phone Call

On 10.10.2020, around lunchtime Zak received a phone call from his sister. I could tell immediately based on his expression and the one or two phrases I could hear that this was like the phone call he received when Grandpa Manwill passed away.

"My dad was in an accident, and they think he's passed away!"

We grabbed bags and clothes for us and the kids, and drove the two-and-a-half hours from Salt Lake to Sevier County. Great-Grandpa Porter, who served with Search and Rescue for fifty years, called when we were on the road to confirm that Zak's dad had indeed passed away.

After helping a neighbor move some things with his skid steer that morning, Dad brought back the potatoes the neighbor gave him and continued working in his own yard with the Bobcat. When trying to stand up at some point, he bumped some controllers that lifted the arms and bucket quickly and powerfully. It caught him  in the precise point where his breathing and nervous systems were pinched immediately. It was instantaneous.

Niki was able to quickly call 911 after Mom found him. I know she had help as she called for an ambulance, called her brothers, and raced to the neighbors' houses to find someone to be with them. The neighbor and emergency personnel arrived within minutes to look after them and Dad.

All three sons drove down to stay with Mom. We saw how Heavenly Father had worked to bring us all together before Dad died. The last few years, Zak's brother, Christian, and his wife, Carrie, had been working and living in Indiana. Just months before Dad had recommended a job in Utah to Christian, which he had gotten. Just the month before we had all camped together on the mountain.

That night when I went to their RV trailer to get the kids settled, Mom got a phone call from the organ donation organization to confirm that Dad had chosen to be a donor. They asked about his medical history and explained that he would indeed be able to donate several tissues and some organs.

The next day was Sunday, and both Mom's Bishop and Stake President from her congregation came to share their love and stories about Dad with her. They recommended that Zak and his brothers give any of the family members who wanted them special priesthood blessings of comfort and counsel, which are words from Heavenly Father for that individual. Listening to Zak, Christian, and Cohen give those blessings was one of the most spiritual and comforting experiences I have ever had. It became very apparent that Heavenly Father knew what was happening and had watched over Dad through the entire process. 

I'm grateful for the ten years I had with my dad-in-law on this earth, and am so blessed for all of the effort and conversations he and Mom went through to help Zak become the man he is. Dad has been an incredible grandpa to our kiddos, and they love him very much.