| Mary Meets Jesus Carrying the Cross |
Luke 23:27-31
And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?
|
| |
Loss from an Accident
Angie
One minute our family was returning home from a wonderful vacation. The next minute, we were plunged into a surreal time-warp. The minute after that, we needed to deal with the aftermath of our vehicle accident.
I was sitting in the front passenger seat of our good ole van, turned slightly to talk to my husband, the driver. What a luxurious day! We had just left a San Diego vacation and were recounting the joy of it all. The sun was shining and this drive had given me my husband’s undivided attention for several hours. The children were buckled in their seats, enjoying each other’s company and favorite travel activities. We stopped our van in a long line at the border checkpoint. Then…
I felt our van lifted from behind. We were literally lifted from a complete stop, into the air. This was a sensation I had never felt before. After we were lifted, we were thrust forward very quickly, causing our heads to snap forward. Confused, I tried to question my husband, “Is something wrong?” thinking that our lifting and forward movement was connected with his driving. I didn’t complete my question because of the chorus of screams from the children. I turned to look at them, I heard my husband say something reassuring, I turned to look at him and saw us heading forward into an over-sized pick-up truck. Our van front was tipped downward and wedged under the truck in front. I heard metal crunching. Everything stopped.
Dealing with the aftermath of the accident began immediately with assurances that everyone was “O.K”. We had been hit at full highway speed in the rear by another over-sized pick-up truck because the driver had reached to his floorboard for a bottle of water. Our van was totaled. Our bodies needed minor but ongoing medical care for three months. We wrestled with insurance companies. We replaced our van. We missed work and other commitments. The losses were varied and many. The aftermath dragged on for six months before we felt complete closure.
It was very difficult to deal with the suddenness of the accident and the ongoing feeling of vulnerability related to driving. It was as if we were sucker-punched, knocked to the ground, and had no idea how or why we were flat on our backs. Every time we got in a vehicle, it was as if we were waiting to be sucker-punched again. Prayer and rational thought help to calm such anxieties, but they do not remove them once and for all. Each family faced their fears differently. During this time, our faith, loved ones, and deep gratitude for our safety helped us to do the hard work of carrying on with our duties while dealing with the losses related to the accident. Together, we prayed for safety and peace. Gradually over time, peace came.
Heavenly Father, please be with our sister who is dealing with the aftermath of an accident. May she find comfort in our Mother’s gentle embrace. Give her patience, stamina, and healing. Please bring to her help through kind and righteous people and make straight her path to closure. Bless her and her family through this cross, bringing all closer to each other and You. We ask this through the help and intercession of St. Christopher and St. Michael the Archangel and our Guardian Angels. Amen
|
|
|
|
|
4RealLearning Forums : We Pray to the Lord