Page 35 - October 2021

ThThat’s the Spirit
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on Aug. 7 has been nothing short of a miracle
■ BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Do you believe in miracles? How can you not given the way Ella, Carlos and Josh have raised the Department, the City, the country and even the world to unfathomable heights.
Consideration of just how miraculous Ella’s mom, Elizabeth, Carlos Yanez Jr. and Joshua Blas have been is best put to the man who is closest to the one who makes such pronouncements. Di- recting Chicago Police Chaplain Father Dan Brandt has connect- ed with our heroes repeatedly since that horrible August night, and, like all Chicago Police Officers, he has felt the power of their spirit and how unbelievably uplifting it has been.
“Out of the ashes of this incident are coming a lot of reasons to be inspired,” Father Dan extolled. “What Carlos is doing, what Elizabeth is doing, what Josh is doing, we’re seeing it everywhere. The resiliency, the continued improvement, definitely has a posi- tive effect. I agree, it’s miraculous.”
Encouraging words, sights and sites seem to come just when we need them and generate responses that fuel healing, recovery and flourishing for all.
Like at the Zac Brown Band Comeback Tour concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Aug. 28. When singing his signature encore, “Chicken Fried,” which always in- cludes a first responder in the show to salute, Zac brought Josh on stage to honor him, Ella and Carlos.
Or at the CPD Finest baseball game against CFD Sept. 23 at The Rate, when Lodge 7 President John Catanzara presented Eliza- beth and Josh with special awards of valor. And then the thou- sands at the park watched a video on the Jumbotron of Catanzara with Junior accepting his valor award.
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Or at one of several events like the Brotherhood of the Fallen
Blue Tie Gala on Sept. 25, when Carlos Yanez Sr. was at the Hyatt O’Hare to represent his son. He held up his phone with Junior on Facetime, which spurred the 400 people present to start chant- ing “Junior...Junior.” And Junior was able to reply, “Thank you all for your love and support and, most importantly, your prayers. They’re paying off by the day. Please, keep the prayers coming.”
It’s a miracle
Talk about encouraging words: Check out the Facebook page CarlosStrong, where the hashtags include #Godsnotdonewithme and Junior’s oldest sister, Dr. Nicole Yanez, has been posting al- most daily since Aug. 7. Nicole had authored no fewer than 34 up- dates as of Oct. 5, and reading them presents a cathartic, awe-in- spiring, uplifting ride that is nothing short of miraculous.
Slices of the posts that reveal just how miraculous include:
Junior is determined and it shows. His attending has told him his recovery does not follow traditional rehab patterns but he is progressing. ...With tall leg braces and relying only on the hip he is able to take a few steps with a cane. ...He tried out a different wheelchair yesterday and drives like a pro. Spins on a dime and is always plotting his “escape.” ... Yesterday he was asking his wife to bring him some treats including carrot cake to build up the muscle he has lost. ... Junior is becoming more talkative and response time is al- most normal. ...Yesterday he dressed himself with his right arm. ...Today is Junior’s 7th anniversary with CPD. His en- ergy levels are lasting longer into the day. ...Sentences get longer and louder every day. ...The glimmer of hope yester- day was a short visit from Carlos’s son CJ. He was prepared
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2021 35