Brady Nyhus's recap
Brady Nyhus's recap
From Brady M. Nyhus
b2y25_2000@yahoo.com Hello everyone, As many already know, this summer, I had the privilege of working at the MAYO Clinic. During my time there I had countless adventures. I wanted to tell everyone about my experiences, so I generated my first mass email -- Musings from Osmund. The summer has past, and I have since returned home. Since my return, a plethora of things have transpired. The following is a recounting of my experiences from the beginning of the summer to the present. For those who do not wish to read about my life, at least read the following;
I am so grateful for all of you.
On with the tale! My story begins with a triumphant return home. I was weary of fixing computers at MAYO, and wanted to try my hand at something completely different. My next summer job was graphic design at Maux Creative Studios. They handle the Mason Shoe account. I had many opportunities there; I was photographer, location set up crew, and graphic designer. This job provided me with invaluable experience, and helped me think about a future career. Additionally, I discovered that the "ideal" job (sitting at a computer with an endless supply of food and music) could actually be quite draining; my career of choice must incorporate physical activity. I had to leave Maux because marching band was starting up again. Countless hours were spent refining our show, until we had an amazing product to display. At this point, time started passing quickly-- school started smoothly, I had a huge birthday bash, and things were going fantastically. Before I knew it, the Marching Cards were performing for the last time that season. We received our highest score ever and were on the way home. How could anyone have known lives would be significantly altered that night? I awoke suddenly to absolute silence, which was quickly punctuated by screams of terror and pain. Obviously something was wrong. At this moment I started feeling dizzy and weak, this I assume was from the blood that I was losing. I was coughing up blood in the dark without an understanding of what happened. I look out and see the dark shadow of a body lying beside the road. Back inside someone was shouting, "Call 911" and as if by magic someone was standing outside my window knocking. The man wishes for me to go outside through the window, so I obey. I fall into his arms suddenly surrounded by the bitter cold. I feel weak but am able to stand.
After an eternity, I am moved again to another bus. I sit down next to the window and can see my face for the first time. I instantly became sick again. My nose was split open, and blood was seeping out. People on that bus looked at me with terror as if I was already one of the dead. Chaperones avoided me for the most part except for one. She handed me Kleenex and watched as I tried to blow my nose. My nose-blowing facsimile prompted the most famous line of that night. She said, "When you blow your nose it's bubbling at the top, it's like you have a third nostril." I was simply revolted. I sit in utter silence for a time, and then I acquire a cell phone. I call my home, with the intention of telling my mom (via the answering machine) that I will be late. To my surprise, my mother picks up the telephone. I tell her I will be late, but she senses there is more. Chaperones had forbidden discussion of what I had seen, so I decide to tell her in code. Arp talk, a foolish language that exists simply for the purpose of telling secrets was used in a very unusual manner that fateful night. I tell my mother (fluent in arp herself) "Tharpere arpare parpearpople darpead harpere marpom. ArpI’m narpot sarpupparposarped tarpo tarpalk arpabarpout arpit." She receives the message, but the gravity does not seem to weigh her down. I tell her I will keep in touch and say farewell.
I arrive to a frenzy of humanity. My clothes were covered in gore from the night because I did not have the chance to change. I walk into the high school and am surrounded by people who look at me with surprise. There was a meeting of sorts going on in the cafeteria. Clergy members were there from every church to pray with the community. As I went over to pray, my heart began to soften, I realized how foolish it was to be bitter with God. I escaped with my life, and later I found out that no Chi-Hi students were killed. This was a great something to be thankful for.
As hard as it may be to believe, beauty can come out of horror. At my choir concert Mr. Buckles said something that resounded to me. He said, "This tragedy has brought our music program closer together. Orchestra students volunteer to play at the choir concert, and the choir + orchestra goes to the band concert. We are a family, and the walls of separation have been torn down." I wholeheartedly agree with him, this entire community has become more loving since the tragedy on October 16. There are a few things I've learned from the tragedy; everyone has something they can give and everybody should give, and that you should never let a fear hold you back. I was deathly afraid of needles before the accident, but during the insertion of twelve stitches to a very sensitive part of my body, I learned to let go. As a reinforcement of this new thinking, I went to get my cartilage pierced. You must never let a fear hold you back from enjoying your life, and you have the power to overcome it. Every person on this list means a great deal to me, and I just wanted you all to know how wonderful and truly special you are, and how lucky I am to know you!
“Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes, and I fear the time has come to say goodbye again.” -- Billy Joel With Love,
Brady M. Nyhus |
