2 0 : B V O V
by Melanie Hemry
Located in the center of the state, they
were 30 miles from the Denali National
Park, where sun glinted off snowcapped
mountain peaks. At night you could see
the neon colors of the northern lights.
Secluded from most people, their land was
alive with all kinds of wildlife.
Ice and snow covered the ground as
Denver worked on the log house he'd built.
Sweeping snow away, he froze as pain
gripped his shoulder. At 49, he was healthy
and strong. Yet now, in addition to the
shoulder pain, he felt weak.
Inside, the pain kept him from finding
a comfortable position. He couldn't get
relief sitting or walking. It got so intense
that he cried out to God for mercy.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?"
Stacey asked.
That was a drawback to living in one of
the most beautiful places on earth. It was
100 miles to the nearest hospital.
"If this comes back, I'd better be closer
than 100 miles."
"Let's go," Stacey said.
Getting him into the car, she started
the long drive on icy roads. Several times
Denver insisted that he felt better and
asked her to take him home.
"No," she said, "you need to be checked
out."
The long, slow journey gave Denver
NEVER
TOO LATE
Denver Urlaub stepped outside, his breath forming
clouds in the frigid air. He stood still, taking in the
gorgeous scenery surrounding where he and his wife,
Stacey, lived on 20 acres of stunning Alaskan wilderness.
