Throughout this time, I had purposely avoided passing by the spot where David’s accident had occurred. My nephew Hector Luis, who had witnessed the accident, repeatedly commented how he couldn’t understand how David had not suffered any fractures as he was ejected from the motorcycle and thrown over about 60ft through and in between enormous pillars under the 1-95 overpass.
In one of Jorge’s visits I asked him to take me to where the accident had occurred and as we passed by, I offered a prayer in thanksgiving as I saw the pillars and wondered how he escaped from hitting one of the many. Only a miracle could explain it.
In one of Jorge’s visits I asked him to take me to where the accident had occurred and as we passed by, I offered a prayer in thanksgiving as I saw the pillars and wondered how he escaped from hitting one of the many. Only a miracle could explain it.
During the first weeks of his accident, my mother gave details of the image received of St. Michael the Archangel during a special intercessory prayer she offered for David, along with her community.
St. Michael the Archangel had an exceptionally special meaning for David. In the Catholic Church, each participant at Confirmation (a sacrament of initiation) gets to choose a Christian name such as a bible hero or of a saint and add it to his or her first and middle name. David chose Michael as his new name. He had a small figure statue, which reminded him to pray the St. Michael the Archangel protection prayer for him and others.
St. Michael the Archangel had an exceptionally special meaning for David. In the Catholic Church, each participant at Confirmation (a sacrament of initiation) gets to choose a Christian name such as a bible hero or of a saint and add it to his or her first and middle name. David chose Michael as his new name. He had a small figure statue, which reminded him to pray the St. Michael the Archangel protection prayer for him and others.
 St. Michael The Archangel | Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. |
Angels are ministering spirits (Hebrew 1:14), created by God. Guardian angels help protect us from spiritual and physical harm (Acts 12:15; Matt 18:10). St. Michael the Archangel is a powerful warrior angel who engages in spiritual combat (Daniel 12:1).
To my amazement, the church I found next to the nursing home happened to be called St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church on West Flagler Street. Its parishioners were very welcoming and I enjoyed their music and how the priest would walk amongst us during the homily. One of the Sunday’s messages that deeply touched my heart referred to how the flesh is weak but the Spirit is strong. How the Holy Spirit will intercede for us when we are confused or in turmoil and helps us to bear the burden especially when life trials seem overwhelming. God was talking directly to me.
To my amazement, the church I found next to the nursing home happened to be called St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church on West Flagler Street. Its parishioners were very welcoming and I enjoyed their music and how the priest would walk amongst us during the homily. One of the Sunday’s messages that deeply touched my heart referred to how the flesh is weak but the Spirit is strong. How the Holy Spirit will intercede for us when we are confused or in turmoil and helps us to bear the burden especially when life trials seem overwhelming. God was talking directly to me.
I was spiritually moved by the fact that again, St. Michael the Archangel was a constant representation of God’s presence throughout this journey. I knew it was not a coincidence and more of a God-incident.
David had still not made any facial expressions. He had not laughed or cried since the accident. We didn’t know if he experienced pain at all. We guessed he enjoyed watching certain movies and videos of break dancing because he would pay close attention as we played them for him. The only noise he made was the occasional Aaaaahh.
One of the issues we learned early on - was the fact that at the nursing homes it was nearly impossible to receive enough physical therapy. I feared David would not get the attention needed to regain muscle mass, range of motion and other important skills. When we were notified of an assessment the therapists would be conducting to evaluate if David was qualified for therapy, we activated every prayer group, every saint and angel in heaven.
One of the issues we learned early on - was the fact that at the nursing homes it was nearly impossible to receive enough physical therapy. I feared David would not get the attention needed to regain muscle mass, range of motion and other important skills. When we were notified of an assessment the therapists would be conducting to evaluate if David was qualified for therapy, we activated every prayer group, every saint and angel in heaven.
We hoped he would follow commands at the therapists’ request. We sat David in his wheel chair as they had asked. As they walked in the room, every bit of optimism ran through my veins. Julissa and Roxanne examined David from head to toe. They asked us a few questions. David responded to the majority of their commands. All of a sudden they both looked at each other and whispered out loud, “there is potential”. I wanted to hug each one so tight and cry but instead I thanked them and try to stay upright because it felt I was about to faint. David was on his way to physical and occupational therapy the following week. We would have a Care Plan meeting to establish goals. Another miracle. We celebrated this important step.
I remembered what Nurse Rose had mentioned a few days earlier, “not one leaf moves from a tree unless the Lord orders it”, she said and told me to read and pray Psalm 91. She continued to tell me that I had to learn my position through all that was happening because if not I would be all over the place without purpose. I prayed about it.
That same day in the evening and without knowing about my earlier conversation with Rose, my mother said to me over the phone, "You are accompanying David in his journey". Something about those words touched my heart.
That same day in the evening and without knowing about my earlier conversation with Rose, my mother said to me over the phone, "You are accompanying David in his journey". Something about those words touched my heart.
That was the answer. My new role was to accompany David, to complement him, to be his companion, his partner. I was to take part in an undertaking with David. We would be working together on a special mission. I pondered this new role and prayed that I would not miss any sign, wonder and miracle along the way.
 | My new role as a companion had a significant perspective. I was still his mother but, this was different. David and I would spend a lot of time together. We would share experiences sometimes not expected or planned for. We would be constantly associated with each other. In our own identities, we would become comrades and serve one another. I prayed I would learn the role God invited me to be. |