Daddy's President Report in The Arkansas Lawyer, January 2007

"Sudden Emergencies"

All pilots prepare for sudden emergencies, those moments when the engine sputters or goes silent, when a vacuum pump fails and instruments run awry, when the ominous darkness of weather closes in and our physical senses lead astray. We practice those emergencies so an encounter with reality is no shock. We learn to say "Mayday" three times if a landing is imminent, to tune the transponder to 7700 and our communications radio to 121.5. We learn to focus on just flying the airplane, and not so much on the symptom of the problem.
But the further distant our times of practice and the more hours we spend in perfect flying, engines purring, instruments consistently functioning, and the weather clear, the less prepared we become. For an emergency in an airplane is like a thief in the night, lurking unseen to appear at the least likely of times: while we sleep, taking flight for granted. Then, an emergency is truly a sudden one.
I find life no different. We simply take the continuation of the present circumstances for granted...
My family has also faced a sudden emergency lately. We were calmly asleep on October 19 when our son, Daniel, unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. With the support of our faith, our family and friends, we have faced this awakening reality, and have found reliving memories of a delightful young man is a source of comfort, and provides meaning to his difficult life.
Daniel was born under harsh circumstances, suffering a skull fracture at birth, an early symptom of a rare condition that affected him for the remainder of his twenty-nine years. By his own count, he survived "30 plus" surgeries, and was most often confined to very short walks or his Quickie wheel chair. He never let his physical condition defeat him, rather using his wit to endear him to family and friends forever. He will be remembered for his persistence, endurance, courage and his ability to love life regardless of his circumstances. His death was certainly a sudden emergency to his family and friends, but our flight, too, will be recovered and restored, although our preparation and practice had been dulled by complacency and years of engines purring, instruments working and clear weather prevailing. We encourage each of you to guard against such complacency.
Hug your loved ones often, and long.

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll...
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."

Though Satan shall buffet,
tho' trials should come...
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

"Even so"---it is well with my soul.

The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29:10-11

"Grieving Time, a Time for Love"

If a loved one has departed,
And left an empty space,
Seek the inner stillness,
Set a slower pace.

Take time to remember,
Allow yourself to cry,
Acknowledge your emotions,
Let sadness pass on by.

Then center in the oneness,
Remember...God is here,
Death is but a change in form,
Your loved one is still near.

Treat yourself with kindness,
Allow yourself to feel,
God will do the mending,
And time will help you heal.

-Barbara Bergen

"Sorrow" by Abraham Lincoln

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all,
and it often comes with bitter agony.
Perfect relief is not possible,
except with time.
You cannot believe that you will ever feel better.
But this is not true.
You are sure to be happy again.
Knowing this,
truly believing it,
will make you less miserable now.
I have had enough experience to make this statement.

Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul

"The measure of life, after all, is not its duration but its donation."
-Peter Marshall

"Go then, merrily, to heaven."
-Richard Burton

"Death is the end of a lifetime, not the end of a relationship."
-Mitch Albom

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."
-Inspired by an Eskimo Legend

"When someone dies, you don't get over it by forgetting; you get over it by remembering, and you are aware that no person is ever truly lost or gone once they have been in our life and loved us, as we have loved them."
-Leslie Marmon Silko

Life in Pictures

Daniel's Lesson

My big brother, my Dan-Dan (Daniel) passed away October 19th at the age of 29. My family feels like the ground has been taken out from underneath us; we have floated through this past week like zombies. It hurts so bad right now - it is an ache none of us have ever experience before. However, we have amazing memories and photos of precious Daniel...he was an inspiration to anyone who took the time to know him before his death, and countless (even more I suspect) people after. The general census of people is, why did I not get to know him better? This is a lesson we need to learn from Daniel. Daniel lived a life of pain...in and out of hospitals from the day he was born. However, Daniel never, EVER complained; he always smiled. He didn't complain when doctors, promising they had the power and knowledge, broke both of his legs at the age of 5, the first of many failed attempts to straighten them. He didn't complain that he didn't have the same chance as other boys, and my parents gave him every chance within their capabilities and more. Now we are all trying to come to terms with that fact and the knowledge we have that God is now giving him all those other chances that we couldn't...His story, his attitude, and his life in general is a grand lesson to be learned by all...a lesson his little sister has been trying to learn all of my life. I encourage you to "Dare to be a Daniel" and live life to its fullest with a smile on your face.Thank you for your thoughts and prayers

A Family Incomplete...

"Come Back" by Pearl Jam

If I keep holding out,... will the light shine through?
Under this broken roof,... it's only rain that I feel
I've been wishing out the days,... come back

I have been planning out,... all that I'd say to you
Since you slipped away,... know that I still remain true
I've been wishing out the days,...

Please say, that if you hadn't of gone now
I wouldn't have lost you another way
From wherever you are,... come back

And these days, they linger on
And in the night, as I'm waiting on
The real possibility I may meet you in my dream
I go to sleep

If I don't fall apart,.... will the memories stay clear?
So you had to go,..... and I had to remain here
But the strangest thing to date
So far away
And yet you feel so close
And I'm not gonna question it any other way
There must be an open door
For you to
Come back

And the days, they linger on
And every night, what I'm waiting for
Is the real possibility I may meet you in my dream

And sometimes you're there
And you're talking back to me
Come the morning I could swear you're next to me
And it's okay.It's okay.
It's okay.
I'll be here
Come back
Come back
I'll be here
Come back
Come back
I'll be here
Come back
Come back

Daniel, Sarah, and I all love Pearl Jam. This is an amazing song. Daniel, I wish you could come back so bad; I miss you so much. I know that you have come back as our guardian angel. I love you.
LoveMeme

Daddy's Goodbye to Daniel

My dad had the courage to speak at Daniel's funeral. It was extremely moving and we were all amazed at his strength. Here are notes on what he said:

Daniel’s Eulogy

A friend told me recently that whenever he thought of Daniel Sprott, he just could not help but smile. We hope each of you know or learn of stories of Daniel’s wit, wisdom, escapades and antics, for they reflect a joy of life that gave each of us in his family great strength and solace. His message to us all: Never judge anyone by appearance—look in their heart, instead. "You cannot tell a book by its cover," I’ve heard him say.

When Daniel was six months old, he was hospitalized in Little Rock and his health was declining daily. A doctor told me to prepare for Daniel to die. Well, Daniel fooled him by 29 years! But I am no more ready than I was that very day!

In 1990 or so, when Daniel was an early teenager, he told me he wanted to enter the Five K race at the Crawdad Days Festival we have here in Harrison, in his wheel chair. So he and I signed up, the ONLY wheel chair entrant. We started the race at North Arkansas College, went on to Pioneer Drive, then on to Business 412. I pushed him to the top of Harrison Hill, and off he went, just Daniel and his chair, about 25 miles per hour winding down the Hill. I didn’t catch back up with him until we were in Goblin Stadium, rounding the track to cross the finish line in front of the stands, where they were playing "Chariots of Fire" on a boom box. I really think Daniel wanted to do this just to have a legitimate opportunity to ride his chair down Harrison Hill.

Anyway, after the race I overheard two runners talking. "How did you do," asked one of them. The other said "Well, I thought I was doing pretty well until some kid in a wheelchair came zooming by me like I was standing still!"

Daniel zoomed right past a lot of us, didn’t he?

But on Thursday morning, I looked at Daniel’s lifeless body lying in his bed in our home, and knew that Daniel was gone. I did not want him to be gone. There were things unsaid. There was no "Good bye."

In the hours that followed my acceptance of Daniel’s passing, my mind returned to our many trips together: to the ranch, to St. Louis ballgames and museums, to NASCAR races at Bristol, Kansas City and Talledega, to San Francisco, Atlanta and Washington, to airshows all over the country, and to work together nearly every morning. He and I had plans for many more trips together, and there were so many things I wanted to give him to make his life a little better, a little more joyful. I wanted to make his life the very best it could be.

But I can do no more, for he is gone. I did not want him to be gone. Yet, I know he is now with a Father who can accomplish more than me. That Father has given Daniel a perfect body, a heavenly body he will enjoy for eternity. Think of it! Daniel can RUN in Heaven! He is perfect, and all who see him there see perfection, no flaws and no pain. Thanks be to a God who can finally fulfill the dreams of this earthly father, and make Daniel’s life the very best it can be. This is the hope our family has, the assurance we pray each of you hold in your families, too.

So, Daniel, we did not want you to be gone. But we commend your spirit to the Heavenly Father who can do all those things this earthly one wanted for you, but could not complete. When we think of you, Daniel, and your joy of life, we just can’t help but smile. Thank you for the example you have left for us. And now, Daniel, we can finally tell you a fond, and loving, "good bye." Farewell, my son.

Nana Sprott's Memory of Daniel

My memory of Daniel started the day of his birth, the day God chose to send him to this earth. Papa and I watched him grow and become joy, joy, joy. Our times together after he grew up a bit were spent taking Daniel to the fishing hole, pond, river, or stream. The fish always went back into the water, but Daniel had the fun of bringing them in. As he grew up and Papa and I grew older, we needed him to bring us to our doctors. It was Daniel we called upon. And we were blessed by having the pleasure of his company between Marble and Harrison. The joy Daniel brought to our lives is beyond comprehension. And now that we are 92 we have had the pleasure and honor of knowing a young man who loved life, people, and of course fishing. Now he will have grandparents on both sides of the globe (2 still on earth, and 2 in Heaven). Love, Nana
Daniel put up with his pain, we can still put up with ours...He is our inspiration...WE ARE DARING TO BE A DANIEL!!

MySpace Bulliten 10-21

I am sure most of you have heard, but my precious Naniel passed away very peacefully in his sleep 10-19-06...It was such a shock and hurts beyond belief..., but we know that he is finally free of pain for the first time in a long long time, and is in a place where he can run, jump, and fish all he wants!!! He was the most amazing person I have ever known. Any of you who were blessed to meet him would agree...he will be greatly missed. Life will never, ever be the same. Please keep my family in your prayers, this will be a long journey for us, and for all who knew him...

Visitation: Sunday, October 22, 2006 5-7pm Christenson Funeral Home, Harrison, AR

Funeral: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:00am First Baptist Church, Harrison, AR

In Christ's love, Sarah

First Timer

This is my first time on a "blog," something I could not describe or define. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to Emily for creating this thing, whatever it is, and hope that it is meaningful to anyone who reads it. Daniel loved to explore new ways of doing things, often refusing to accept advice or instruction from his dear old Dad, and just launching off to do something the way he thought best. That independence, self-confidence and self-acceptance were powerful qualities of his. He would have loved the idea of something his Dad did not understand or know how to use, and he would especially enjoy my struggle to take part in it. Hope I am doing it correctly.