They looked forward to the five hour ride home together. Even though Carlos' Dad had always felt uneasy to travel together in one vehicle, they weren't overly concerned when they began their journey home. Carlos, Monica with their two children, Carlos' parents, Claudio and his bride all found their seats in the van and began the scenic drive home.
Monica who struggled with car sickness sat in the front seat holding Juliana. The scenery on the journey was pastoral and peaceful. Though the road was straight, the shoulders were narrow and often there was no space on either side of the road to safely allow a car to pass. As they passed a beautiful white church Monica looked down at Juliana and began to sing
"I am small and my heart is clean,
nobody but Jesus can live in me".
No one is completely sure of what happened that afternoon. The vehicle that caused the crash was untouched and left the scene and the driver was never found. Two vehicles collided and life changed forever.
One minute Monica was holding her little girl singing her a song and the next moment she was lying face down in the gravel unable to move. The first thing she heard was a woman begging her to keep her eyes closed. She never looked. The van was completely torn apart except for the seat that Monica sat in. One seat attached to the frame of the van, the rest was utterly torn apart.
Even though I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid for
you are close beside me.
In the hospital only a thin curtain separated her from Juliana who the doctors
were doing their best to save.
Your rod and your staff
protect me and comfort me.
In and out of consciousness she was vaguely aware of her clothing being cut off. Cloths that felt harsh and rough were used to clean the dirt and gravel from the scrapes and lacerations on her body, arms and legs. Three hours later in intensive care Monica's parents and Carlos' Uncle were permitted to see her.
When the Uncle entered the room Monica opened her eyes and asked him the obvious question. "What of the others?" Unable to meet her gaze he replied "Everything is taken care of" and he left the room. Monica looked at her Mother and asked "everyone?" and her Mother nodded yes.
In a moment Monica realized the enormity of her loss. Her husband, her children, her parents in law, brother in law and sister in law . . .all of them, gone. How do you begin to wrap your mind around that? Was it possible that only hours earlier they had all stood by the pool for a picture?
Through it all Monica clung to the fact the her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would not ever leave her or give her more than she could bear. She would never truly be alone. How long does it take to grieve the loss of a child?
How long does it take to grieve the loss of your family? Inconceivable.
I asked Monica what the single most difficult moment had been. With a sigh, she recalled the first time she went back to their church and sat alone in the bench that they had shared as a family.
She knew that God would not have brought her through the horrific crash without a plan for the rest of her life. She trusted Him and waited for the healing to begin.
At her beside someone had given her the verse found in Joshua 1:9.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
During the months that followed, Monica inscribed those words in her heart.
Tomorrow I will conclude Monica's story.
Oh...I can't even find the words. To lose everyone...everything. I'm so grateful that you're telling Monica's story, and I can hardly wait to come back and read what you've got to tell tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI know there must be a positive 'part three' but right now I am so sad.
ReplyDeleteThere are no words. I sit here with tears in my eyes when I think of the pain she went through. I think of a verse in Psalms, "He is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit".
ReplyDeleteI am with your other readers - there are no words to describe such loss.
ReplyDeleteOnly the Lord could carry someone through such a dark valley.
Oh,I wish I could put my tears into words...I can't imagine the pain of having your world end so tragically...and suddenly.
ReplyDeleteExcept for God...how could she have survived?
I see the picture of her smiling at the B&B...so I shall hold out for a happy ending tomorrow...
I sit here speachless! A beautiful story comes down with such a crash ... and all that comforts me is that it was still a loving God who allowed this ... and the fact that Monica has been able to put her trust in Him. Monica has beautiful memories and no regrets ... Carlos did not break her heart... but oh the loss that she has had to grieve, I cannot imagine!
ReplyDeletewhat a reminder again to appreciate our loved ones and to speak blessing into their lives every moment that we have.
wow i can't even imagine how hard that would be.Loosing your husband and your children would be so painful. alot of people wouldn't even want to live after that. wow
ReplyDeleteyou have to have alot of faith and trust in God to overcome that.
Aw man!
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible!!
It reminds me of Melody Green's story..."No Compromise"...one of my fav. books.
Thanks for the continuation...I knew there must be something sad about to happen!!!
Demara
My heart hurts for Monica...I can't begin to imagine that kind of loss...even in this "God is good."
ReplyDeleteHi Lovella, my mom gave me your blog site. Friends have been telling me to start one and since yours inspired me - I thought I would give it a shot. Don't know how you find the time to make yours so detailed.
ReplyDeleteYour latest story is soooo heart wrenching. Not a good thing to read when you are PMSing. Can't wait for the outcome tomorrow.
When I am reading tears are swelling up. I can't imagine what she went through. That is such a sad story.
ReplyDeletewww.sunshinecoastkids3.blogspot.com
I have read this post 3 times today! Why I choose to torture myself I don't know! I cried all 3 times. I am overwhelmed, but like in part 1 when I sensed something terrible was going to happen in part 2, I also sense that part 3 will be about healing and again finding joy in life. I look forward to tomorrows cry!
ReplyDeleteCrying, Lovella. I am around death and grief all day long. And to hear this tragedy from THIS perspective....I truly am breathless.
ReplyDelete