Angels among us...

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
~Alabama

30 years ago today my mom was in a terrible car accident. I was 6 mo. old, she had just dropped me off at my godmother's house and was headed to the hospital where she worked as chief neonatologist. She was driving on the interstate around 60mph when suddenly and out of nowhere the cars in front of her came to a screeching stop. She was the fourth car and was able to stop completely. The car behind her was not able to and crashed into her at full speed. She took the whole impact, then causing a domino effect and crashing into the car in front of her. Although she was wearing her seatbelt, her head hit the glass causing bleeding in her brain. ***Luckily*** the person that crashed into her was one of her medical students. He called for help and performed all of the life-saving and necessary emergency response steps.

She was quickly taken by ambulance to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery to alleviate the pressure in her brain from the subdural hematoma. She was in a coma for several days and doctors told my grandparents to prepare for the worse. They were not sure she would make it and told my grandparents that if she did, because of the extent of her injuries, she would remain in a vegetative state the rest of her life. My grandparents, with their incredible faith in God, began praying for her full recovery and asked everyone to join them. Many began praying in agreement for her full recovery. Miraculously, she awoke from the coma without any permanent damage. She made a full recovery and went on to continue her medical practice, caring for and saving many children along the way. What a testament to God's love for us and the power of prayer!

She tells me one of her fondest memory is that of coming home from the hospital with my grandparents to pick me up at my aunt's house. I was in a pack-n-play and she knelt down beside it and softly called my name. She said I looked at her and slowly came over to her side, pulled up, rubbed my hand against her now bald head, and said "mama". Has always brought tears to my eyes thinking about this, but now that I have Grace, even more so.
Last year on this very day, we baptized Grace, at the age of 6 months. Couldn't think of a better way to thank God for the miracle of my mom's recovery than to dedicate my child to Him on the anniversary of my mom's "second birthday"...second chance at life. My grandma was here :), as was my Uncle Pedro - Grace's godfather, and several family members all the way from PR. My friend Heidi was godmother. Lance's Nana, who is no longer with us, was there. The same priest that married us baptized Grace at the church we were married in. It was a joyful day! Indeed there are angels among us, some wear wings and some are just walking beside us every step of the way. Thank you God for not calling my mom Home 30 years ago. I needed her then...I need her now...I love you, Mom.
~Jessica