Heart Wrenching

 Isn't it sobering how very quickly life can change.  So many have written about this - how we take ordinary life for granted.  We wake up in the morning sure of the next 16 hours ahead.  Not necessarily sure that things will go as planned, but nevertheless sure that those hours are ours.

Most days it is a safe assumption.  Our granddaughter Ally - Derek's and Heather's third daughter was in a car accident last night that will no doubt change how she greets each new day for some time to come.  She and six of her friends from ASU (wonderful responsible young adults) drove to California for the weekend.  They had an incredibly good time.

They were driving home to Arizona yesterday afternoon when they hit a patch of water or ice on the road.  The woman traveling in a car behind them said she saw the car hydroplaning and drifting over to the left.  The driver overcorrected and the car rolled and ended up on the shoulder of the road.  

Ally climbed out of the front passenger side, dazed and bleeding.  Her forehead had a large gash.  She tried to help the others get out until the woman who reported the accident made her sit down and press a sweater to her head to staunch the flow of blood.  Three of the seven were airlifted to Palm Springs, where two of the young men died.  The other is still being treated.  The remaining four, including Ally were taken to a hospital in El Centro.  They were all released early this morning.  

Ally was given morphine for the pain, stitched up, and released to her father who had driven to El Centro as soon as he got the word.  He, along with other parents waited outside (they weren't allowed inside because of the virus).  

Ally didn't find out about her friends until this morning.  It was devastating for her and for the other young people.  We can only imagine not only the physical pain they are all dealing with, but the emotional trauma as well.  Ally has a very large welt on her arm and she hurts all over.  But the emotional pain of that split second, a patch of something on the road, and immediately everything is terribly terribly wrong.

We will be praying for Ally, for her friends and for their families.  We will be praying for Derek and Heather and their other children.  This will affect them all.  It will be a long time before Ally will be able to get through a day without thinking about all that has happened in the last twenty-four hours.

I know the Comforter is real.  I know that there is good reason for that significant title among others.  I have felt the presence of the spirit in unutterable ways.  Like a warm blanket enclosing you, calming and quieting, soothing and strengthening, the Holy Ghost brings peace.  And most often, it is just for the moment, and yet will come again and again as needed and requested.  I have relied upon that.

Ally will too....for some time to come.



Comments

Carolyn said…
Sam and I shall be praying as well.
November 10, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Elder and Sister Madsen said…
Dear Carolyn,
Thanks so very much. We love you.
November 10, 2020 at 1:49 PM
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