A WEDDING

Dan would like to announce that:

Jenifer Ann Knudsen & Jeffrey Lee Kraker
were united in Holy matrimony on
Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 3:30 p.m.
at the Baker Memorial Church in St Charles, IL

We had an incredible weekend with the family -- quite the range of emotions! Dan got permission to leave his temporary home at the RIC, and attend his sister's rehearsal and wedding this past weekend. Friday was to practice a long distance trip via a coach bus, scope out the logistics of the church, [every building can be a challenge for handicap accessiblilty] and to practice escorting his grandparents up the aisle on his own. He lit up with great joy when he saw sister-in-law Emily, who was able to be back in the USA for the weekend, thanks to many of you and your airline mileage points.

Things went well until after the rehearsal dinner when we all got ready to go home. Dan was having a difficult time, said he didn't want to "be like this anymore", and soon had all of us Knudsen's on the bus and crying at his side. We enjoyed a private moment together, had prayer, and said our goodbye's for a few hours. We have not added this for sympathy or such, but to let all of you know that "overwhelming moments" like these, which we can't always post about, are a part of our weekly life. Please know that your prayers help us in more ways than we can always say.

The trip to and from the RIC proved to be bumpy and difficult on the construction-filled roadways, and even included the shaking off of the air tube to his ventilator. [His Ambu bag is always close at hand] When this sort of thing happens, and it has before, we continue to acknowledge that Dan's life has been spared for a Divine purpose. This did not deter Dan's wedding plans.

We are grateful to Spare Wheels who graciously provided this free transportation, but we realize that Dan's body is not yet conditioned to handle that much movement from a larger vehicle. There are some power chair adjustments that are needed for such movement. God provided and some friends loaned us their customized handicap mini van for Saturday. Dan said it was 100% smoother. [Thanks Al, Rose & Val]. We continue to learn about this new life of ours.

The wedding on Saturday was a full day with a flurry of activity. Dan, in full tux, and his nurse Dominica were picked up by drivers, escorts and family friends aka Randy & Flo. The bride was beautiful, church was full, music filled the air* and Dan was able to escort his grandparents up the aisle perfectly, without missing a beat. He was determined to make this a special day for his big sister, and he did. He was embarrassed a bit when he also got a round of applause on the way out of the church, but our family and friends were SO proud of him. You made him feel loved. No headaches, temps or other physical problems occurred and his attitude was great, even the waiting through the usual family photo shoots etc.

He rested in between the wedding and the reception, then joined the other guests for dinner. Dan enjoyed a full 3 course meal, smiling, talking and joking with college buddies who were at his table. At one point during the meal Deb whispered in Bill's ear. "That is OUR son over there in the wheel chair!" We were both silent for a time, thanking God for sparing his life, but uncertain of the future.

The music and dancing were lively and Dan surprised his mom with a special dance to a favorite tune of hers "What a Wonderful World" - by Louis Armstrong [dad helped him "dance" by moving his chair around.] Then newly wed sister Jen got her turn to dance with him. Dad assisted but cried through much of it, thinking of so many memories from earlier years. Silly dad.

Dan watched as his sister Jen and new brother-in-law Jeff escaped into the night, through 2 rows of white sparklers. All were exhausted by evenings end; he gladly went "home" and slept soundly till 10:30 AM on Sunday :)



* P.S. Many people asked about the ceremony music. It will be a few weeks before we get the video recordings, but you can find a popular version of "The Prayer" here. "The Prayer" singers were Chicago artist and family friend Michelle Areyzaga and Dan Huff, a family friend. Aunt Mary Kay also sang. Instrumentation was provided by Paul & Kristine Semanic of the Brass String Chamber Ensemble