CORDS OF COMPASSION

It was close to midnight. I was at my friend Liz’s house waiting for my mom to come pick me up. She should have been there already. It was getting later and later. I had this disgustingly painful feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Something was very wrong. I called my mom’s cell phone, and it rang and rang. I called my house and my dad answered. I immediately asked, “Where’s Mom? It’s been forever.” He said he wasn’t completely sure what was going on, but Mom had been in a car crash.

I felt like throwing up. I couldn’t imagine my mom in a car accident. What if she died? Then Dad reassured me. He had gotten a call from a man who held up a cell phone to my mom’s ear immediately after the accident. She had told him everything was OK but had given no details. I was in a haze and so confused.

My dad picked me up, and because we didn’t have any information about where Mom was, we headed home to wait for someone to contact us. On our way home, Dad’s cell phone rang. It was someone from Fairfax Hospital telling us that Mom had been taken by helicopter to the emergency room. It was late when we arrived at the hospital.

Finally we were allowed into the ER trauma room. I held my breath as I walked in. The lights were dim; I couldn’t see much of anything. I walked up to her slowly. I began examining her with my eyes. I was horrified. She was bloody and bruised and had little cuts all over her face. My knees became weak and my stomach queasy. She began to speak. I came close, listening to every word. She had been hit by an apparently drunk driver. He was 18 and a bright student at George Mason University, but evidently not so bright tonight.

I couldn’t help but feel anger toward this boy. Why my mom? She never did anything to deserve this. Later I saw the boy in the ER. He had many injuries. My anger quickly turned into pity for this boy. I asked God, “Should I forgive someone who made a life-changing mistake that almost killed someone I love?” I knew the answer. We took my mom home early the next morning and watched over her, cherishing her more than ever. Things worked out, and she healed. It was a close call, but I still have my mom.

I’ve always heard stories about angels and miracles but never really understood them. But now I know they really do exist. God sent one to my mom and the boy. I don’t know what I’d do or where I’d be right now if my mom hadn’t survived. I’m not sure where my relationship with God would stand. These are all questions I’m glad I didn’t have to find the answers to. I owe God in so many ways. This was a truly amazing and life-changing event, and I will always remember it. Thank you, God.

— Caitlin Ross, age 15

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist