“ ... Both boys loved it and were amazed by the vastness and beauty ... Their lives were cut too short by a drunk driver ... ”
Day Three
Day Four
The Grand Canyon. The very first trip as a young family with Joshua and Isaiah was to the Grand Canyon. Both boys loved it and were amazed by the vastness and beauty. During that first family trip, when they were children, their adventurous natures shined as they hiked and set up their campsite. The boys never failed to remember the icy cold showers they took on this trip that they had to pay for! Each minute in the cold shower cost a quarter! Those were funny and great memories. Now, fast forward to the present time, my family and I took a tour of the Canyon. Seeing it again since the last time I was there, took my breath away. During our tour we experienced a true feeling of Joshua and Isaiah’s presence. We caught sight of a herd of wild horses running across the road we were on. The tour guide shared that during the years he had been providing tours he had never seen this type of rare miracle. He was shaking with excitement and shared that his wife, who is Navajo, believed this type of sighting is a blessing for all who witness it. It was so beautiful and brought us to tears. It was the perfect ending to our three-day journey, we took a moment to breathe, truly a blessing.
El Paso. My family and I traveled to visit with my sister’s family, and my husband and daughter, who also came into town to meet me. While our trip started with four, myself, my mother, sister, and brother; now, the family grew to include in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and we enjoyed a family dinner and watched a video my sister created of our Family Road Trip journey. Together we all took a moment to breathe. Before Richard, our daughter Marissa, and I left El Paso, we visited the crash site where Isaiah, Joshua, and Shannon, took their final breaths. At the crash site, three white memorial markers were placed by MADD to serve as a memorial for each one. Their lives were cut too short by a drunk driver, and it also serves as a reminder to the community to not drink and drive. As a family, we cleaned up the site, painted their markers, placed new name plates, lights, and special fall decorations. We took a moment to breathe and remember. Each day, I am thankful to God, He chose me to be Joshua and Isaiah’s mother.
MADDvocate ®
18
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease