Friday, May 1, 2009

I never would have guessed

On Tuesday, Dear Husband joyfully volunteered to be a chaperon on a field trip. N was excited his group would only consist of him and his friend.





On Wednesday, Dear Husband was nearly an hour late getting home from work. I was beginning to worry and told myself I would give him 20 more minutes before calling the cops to see if he was involved in an accident.

15 minutes later, he pokes his head in the front door and asks the boys to go into the other room. The shirt he wore to work was meticulously crumpled up and in his hand. I could see in his face he was deeply shaken up about something.

M: "I was worried something had happened? Did you get in an acci....."

DH: "No I wasn't, but someone else was. Something told me I needed to stop. "

M: "Is everyone okay?"

DH: "Someone died on the scene. The worst part is, I'm almost positive I know the person who died."

I never would have guessed my son's friend and classmate would make news under such circumstances.

I never would have guessed my Dear Husband would spend a whole day with an amazing child, then the following day find his body lying dead in the middle of the freeway.

I never would have guessed I would be the person informing the school teacher and principal of what happened.

Wednesday morning, I never would have guessed I would spend 5 hours that evening in the ER at the bedside of the sister of my son's deceased friend; drawing pictures, making turkey balloons out of plastic gloves, caressing her hair and frequently kissing her forehead. Normally I don't do blood and guts, but when a girl's world has been ripped apart I do anything necessary to comfort her.

I never would have guessed I would sing the "Mommy loves me" song I sing to my children when they're sick or sad, to help comfort a child who wasn't my own.

I never would have guessed I would be one of five women allowed to attend a burial service that is traditionally NEVER attended by ANY women.

I never would have guessed a grieving mother would look at me, with tears in her eyes, and tell me my husband was the answers to her prayers. She prayed that an angel would come to comfort her after the accident and immediately my husband appeared.

I just never would have guessed.

13 comments:

April Cavanaugh said...

Hugs to you. Life throws us major curveballs sometimes, and I'm glad that you were able to find it within yourself to reach out and help another through their loss. You are remarkable. You and your husband were on the errand of angels.

Meredith said...

There are no words...I had no idea you were THE ONES. I knew it was someone. I didn't know it was Efren and you. Our hearts are broken and I didn't even know him, besides knowing of him and his family and 2nd grade sister. Bless you and besides his family being in our prayers, yours will be too. The errand of angels is given to women...

Unknown said...

I am so sorry to hear of the accident. You and Efren were so incredible and strong in supporting this family. I can't even imagine having the strength to do what you did. They needed you and God put you there to help.
You will be blessed. Love you much. Aunt Nedra

Sandra said...

Terribly sad, but comforting.

Danika said...

Kevin saw the accident on his way home from work on Wednesday. He walked in the door, didn't say much except there was a terrible accident, and said he just wanted to hug the kids. I didn't hear anything else about it until the note came home and I asked Brandon about it. How is Nate doing?

I'm glad in your time of personal heartbreak you were able to lift others in their time of need and be an answer to their prayers. Please pass along our prayers to the family.

Pollock Palooza said...

Oh that made me cry. What's up with Chandler and kids dying?! Apparently there's a purpose for all this and only the Lord knows... unfortunately you don't know what the Lord knows (dang!) Way to follow the "stupid thoughts" of the Spirit though. And the plastic glove thing reminded me of Dr. Jones office and the puppet show:)

kelly said...

What an adorable little boy and such a heart wrenching story. I think it was wonderful of your husband to follow a prompting, likely both to attend the field trip and to stop at the accident.

Rebecca said...

Just talked to E about this on the phone. Heavenly Father really loves you and that family. What a blessing you are and were to this family. I love you guys. Thank you for your undying example of love and charity!

Stacy McV said...

How tragic. So glad you could bless the lives of this family and help to give them comfort. You all are in our prayers.

Stricker Family said...

Wow how sad and what a horrible thing to have to face. We may never understand God's timing on things but there is always a reason and purpose behind it all. Our timing is not always his timing. You have an amazing husband, to be there for that family the way he was. You have always had a gentle spirit and an amazing heart. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Big hugs and I hope that your son is doing okay with the news.

the milners said...

I lost it when you said you were the one to inform the teacher... It made me realize I could get a call like that at any time. My students are my life and I could never imagine losing one of them. Heaven forbid I ever do, I hope to feel the comfort of knowing God sent angels like you and Efren to be with that family.

Lucinda said...

Thank you for being the angel I wanted to be but didn't know how! You are a blessing! Our son Ryan is in the same class. This experience has been such an uplifting experience in the mist of the sadness. I am so grateful for the gospel because my son knew that he was with Heavenly Father and safe. He was sad but knows that he and Ahmed will be friends in Heaven. Thank you for your example! I am relieved to know you were there to bless this family! From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!

Reggs said...

This made me so sad. Wonderful that you could be there to help that family in their time of need. If they say angels are simply those on the Lord's errand, I think we can now say that you and Efren are angels. :)