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Sheets converted into signs welcoming Jennifer Glasgow home were hung on the garage, which was converted by friends and fellow church members into a wheelchair-accessible bedroom for her.
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Jennifer Glasgow (center) is welcomed home by family and friends after nearly four months in the hospital. |
By KIM BAER
Jennifer Glasgow's 3-year-old students couldn't really understand how tough it has been for her.
They didn't know the details of the November car accident that killed close family friend Addie Nealey and left Glasgow nearly dead.
They couldn't comprehend what it must have been like for the 29-year-old to spend almost a month in a coma at Inova Fairfax Hospital and then undergo weeks of rehabilitation.
Those students at Glasgow's welcome home party Saturday afternoon really understood only one thing.
Miss Jenny was back. That was all they needed to know.
They went right up to the woman they love, who is now confined to a wheelchair, and hugged her.
Glasgow was badly injured after a car accident on Austin Ridge Drive on Nov. 1.
Nealey was driving her 13-year-old daughter, Brianna, to the bus stop, then dropping Glasgow off at work, when her car was hit. A 17-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving.
For years, Glasgow has taught the 3-year-olds class at Planting the Seed Too, the daycare center her family runs on Courthouse Road in Stafford County.
Bob and Kathy Glasgow, and their two daughters, Jennifer and Rebecca, are more than daycare providers, current and former clients explained.
They've temporarily taken in children when their
"They do everything they possibly can to help anybody," said Jennifer Reid. "They are so open and caring and loving."
Now, members of their extended family are helping them out.
Friends and fellow members of the Stafford Crossing Community Church helped convert the family's two-car garage into a wheelchair-accessible bedroom.
Glasgow's closest friends worked through the night Friday finishing up the space. They put down hardwood floors and painted the walls a cheerful light purple and green.
Then, about 100 friends turned out for the party.
They wrote "Welcome Home Jennifer" on two white sheets and hung them outside the two-car garage of the family's North Stafford home.
They tied bunches of brightly colored balloons on the mailbox and the street signs leading to their home.
As the car carrying "Miss Jenny" made its way through the neighborhood, they lined up outside to surprise her.
It worked.
Her eyes welled up with tears again and again as loved ones hugged her.
There were current students and many children she'd watched years ago who've now grown.
"They're all family," she said.
The family's resiliency and strong faith has helped, said Willie Castile, a friend for 20 years.
"We knew she was coming home, even when the doctors said no," he said. "We knew."
Glasgow has a hip injury that hasn't fully healed, and it's possible she'll never walk again.
Recovery has been difficult, and Glasgow has gotten down at times.
But at the party, she was glowing.
She wore a bright green outfit and her curly brown hair was shining. She had a bright smile for each person who came over for a hug.
"I'm on top of the world seeing all of my babies," she said.
She also showed some of her strong will.
"Sorry I can't get up," she said when one friend leaned in for a hug.
"It's OK," he replied. "Later we'll jump around."
"Sounds good," she said. "We'll go dancing."
Rebecca Glasgow knows her sister has a rough road ahead.
She has more rehabilitation, more doctors' appointments and possibly another hip surgery.
But she said she also knows her sister will fight, heal and begin a new life.
"Her spirit is unbreakable."
Kim Baer: 540/368-5028
Email: kbaer@freelancestar.com
