Hi Linda. First, happy Easter to you. To some degree, I can understand the feelings you had concerning forgiveness. When I was 22 my brother was hit on his motorcycle with my teenaged cousin on the back of his bike. The other driver was an older women who was entering a very busy road near here. She did not see him coming I guess and drove out into the intersection. My brother tried to take evasive action by dropping the bike on it's side and hitting the women in the driver's side. He and my cousin were severely injured. He had head injuries which eventually caused his death. My cousin survived with a shattered ankle and a trauma that was difficult to live with afterwards for many years. He was out with her because she needed someone to talk to, and Earl was that person.
Eventually he died from his wounds 3 months later. The agony that I saw my family go through because of this I still have trouble thinking about without crying. My own strength was to be strong for my parents, his wife, my husband.
My mother filled with anger, could not speak to my cousin for many years. She was putting her anger and sorrow somewhere, though misdirected. She was angry at the driver. With years that passed I am sure that anger mellowed, but does it ever really go away? I don't remember being angry just sad, as he was the brother I felt most like in my family, even for our 13 years apart in age. Today, I still cry as I am now writing this to you. I am not angry at anyone and hope that if there is a Heaven, Earl found peace. I hope anyone that loses someone finds peace.
Your story brought back memories of losing my stepson in 2005, due to an auto accident involving alcohol. My stepson and his best friend both perished in the accident. My stepson’s dad, my now late husband, forgave the driver at his sentencing. I’ve often wondered how he’s doing. His life was forever changed the day he was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. I pray for him.
This letter is certainly gut wrenching. I understand, to a lesser degree maybe, but I do understand. My mother was fairly independent despite needing to use a walker for longer distances to get around (and a cane for most activities) due to her advancing arthritis. Until...the day that she went to the pharmacy and their automatic door closed prematurely while she was entering the store. It knocked her down and she broke her hip. Unfortunately, it caused a cascade of health issues that resulted in neurological deficits. Her life was dramatically changed that day. She could no longer live independently and had to move from her condo. We tried a retirement residence initially but ultimately she had to move into long term care. There was a lawsuit which she won but not without the additional trauma of lawyers, investigators, doctor's evaluations, etc. It did not bring her life back to her former 'normal' independence. There were a very difficult three years of significant care in a nursing home environment before she passed away. It was not how she envisioned her final years. Our whole family was impacted by this negligence. I have had many years to accept this and forgive the company's negligence and their lawyers since this time. And, yes, I have forgiven them. That was a step I had to do for me so I could go free. Free to live fully with Jesus in my life without this hurt holding me back.
God lead me to the premise. I researched online about how hurricanes often begin and the track this one took was based on Hurricane Hazel in 1954. It collided with a cold front to cause a catastrophic storm that moved as far west as Toronto, causing much damage and flooding in the Don Valley. It was the jumping off point to insert characters into a terrible and unexpected predicament.
I have been amazed at the intersection of similarities in our life experiences. God seems to have allowed our paths to cross for a reason. These experiences have been life changing and formative in my life and Faith. They have not been easy but I thank the Lord that He was in my life to lead me in midst of all the trauma, pain and uncertainties. The circumstances surrounding my father's death lead to searching for God in the fallout of it all and He graciously met me in my brokenness with a personal encounter with Him. The rest of my life has been an adventure in following Him through the roller coaster of my life, learning to Trust Him in the lows as well as the highs.
May you have a wonderful Easter celebration! He is Risen!!! Amen!
Hi Linda. First, happy Easter to you. To some degree, I can understand the feelings you had concerning forgiveness. When I was 22 my brother was hit on his motorcycle with my teenaged cousin on the back of his bike. The other driver was an older women who was entering a very busy road near here. She did not see him coming I guess and drove out into the intersection. My brother tried to take evasive action by dropping the bike on it's side and hitting the women in the driver's side. He and my cousin were severely injured. He had head injuries which eventually caused his death. My cousin survived with a shattered ankle and a trauma that was difficult to live with afterwards for many years. He was out with her because she needed someone to talk to, and Earl was that person.
Eventually he died from his wounds 3 months later. The agony that I saw my family go through because of this I still have trouble thinking about without crying. My own strength was to be strong for my parents, his wife, my husband.
My mother filled with anger, could not speak to my cousin for many years. She was putting her anger and sorrow somewhere, though misdirected. She was angry at the driver. With years that passed I am sure that anger mellowed, but does it ever really go away? I don't remember being angry just sad, as he was the brother I felt most like in my family, even for our 13 years apart in age. Today, I still cry as I am now writing this to you. I am not angry at anyone and hope that if there is a Heaven, Earl found peace. I hope anyone that loses someone finds peace.
Your story brought back memories of losing my stepson in 2005, due to an auto accident involving alcohol. My stepson and his best friend both perished in the accident. My stepson’s dad, my now late husband, forgave the driver at his sentencing. I’ve often wondered how he’s doing. His life was forever changed the day he was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. I pray for him.
This letter is certainly gut wrenching. I understand, to a lesser degree maybe, but I do understand. My mother was fairly independent despite needing to use a walker for longer distances to get around (and a cane for most activities) due to her advancing arthritis. Until...the day that she went to the pharmacy and their automatic door closed prematurely while she was entering the store. It knocked her down and she broke her hip. Unfortunately, it caused a cascade of health issues that resulted in neurological deficits. Her life was dramatically changed that day. She could no longer live independently and had to move from her condo. We tried a retirement residence initially but ultimately she had to move into long term care. There was a lawsuit which she won but not without the additional trauma of lawyers, investigators, doctor's evaluations, etc. It did not bring her life back to her former 'normal' independence. There were a very difficult three years of significant care in a nursing home environment before she passed away. It was not how she envisioned her final years. Our whole family was impacted by this negligence. I have had many years to accept this and forgive the company's negligence and their lawyers since this time. And, yes, I have forgiven them. That was a step I had to do for me so I could go free. Free to live fully with Jesus in my life without this hurt holding me back.
God lead me to the premise. I researched online about how hurricanes often begin and the track this one took was based on Hurricane Hazel in 1954. It collided with a cold front to cause a catastrophic storm that moved as far west as Toronto, causing much damage and flooding in the Don Valley. It was the jumping off point to insert characters into a terrible and unexpected predicament.
I have been amazed at the intersection of similarities in our life experiences. God seems to have allowed our paths to cross for a reason. These experiences have been life changing and formative in my life and Faith. They have not been easy but I thank the Lord that He was in my life to lead me in midst of all the trauma, pain and uncertainties. The circumstances surrounding my father's death lead to searching for God in the fallout of it all and He graciously met me in my brokenness with a personal encounter with Him. The rest of my life has been an adventure in following Him through the roller coaster of my life, learning to Trust Him in the lows as well as the highs.
May you have a wonderful Easter celebration! He is Risen!!! Amen!