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By Curt Arens

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
 
I stopped by my parent’s house the other morning, to check up on them and to see if they needed anything, much as I do almost every day. They are both recovering from a terrible car accident that took place several months ago. Both are still ailing, fighting pain that is undeniable. My Dad especially has lingering pain from several injuries he sustained as part of the accident.

When I walked into the living room where they were both sitting, I could see the tears streaming down my mother’s cheeks. Dad’s eyes too were welled up with tears. They had been talking about Dad’s extreme pain and some of the difficulties my mother has been having, recovering so slowly, both physically and emotionally, since the accident. Looking upon both of them, the rocks of my youth now in such a weakened and vulnerable state, I thought of Jesus, and how he carried his heavy cross after being beaten up and beaten down. Now, my parents were carrying crosses of their own, but not alone on the path, but beside our Lord. In my father’s anguish, not far from his arthritic fingers, was his weapon against despair. It was his rosary.

On the evening of October 9, 2009, my parents were enjoying a leisurely drive to a nearby community, traveling to a favorite café for supper. They were looking forward to the scenery of autumn, as they drove through the hills and wooded valleys near our hometown.

But something went wrong along the way. My Dad’s heart stopped suddenly. As he sat limp in the driver’s seat, with his foot pushed down on the gas pedal, he and Mom drove off the road, into a ditch, across a pasture, ramping up at high speed over a neighbor’s driveway and landing flat in a horse yard on the other side.

I had been out in the field that evening, harvesting soybeans. I came to the house to enjoy supper with my family, and some birthday cake with my daughter, who turned ten years old that day. After we had finished supper, I was about to go outside, to finish my evening chores, when the phone rang.

It was my mother on the other end. I was expecting to hear her say that she and Dad would stop by our house, to wish Lauren a “happy birthday.” I was completely caught off guard by my mother’s actual words.

“Curt, Dad and I were in an accident,” I heard her shaken voice say. “The ambulance is on its way. You’d better come quick. I think Dad is gone.”

I kissed my wife and ran to the car, driving as fast as I could over the six miles to the crash site. I arrived at the scene about the same time as the ambulance. I’ll never forget seeing my Dad unconscious in the seat of the car, and seeing my mother crying in pain.

Both of them were transported by ambulance to the regional hospital. Because my father’s heart had stopped twice on the way, when I walked into the emergency room, the doctors pulled me aside.

“We don’t know if we can stabilize your Dad,” he said. I read between the lines. I knew that we might lose him. The hospital chaplain called a priest friend of the family who lived nearby. The nurses rolled my mother, who had injuries of her own to deal with, into my Dad’s room. We were all there, along with doctors and nurses, when our priest friend arrived.

He administered the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to both of my parents. My father, who was up until that time, almost unresponsive, began to improve. He grasped my hand and asked, “What happened?”

He had a broken neck and six broken ribs. He needed a pacemaker too. At that moment, I didn’t know if he would ever be home again. But after being anointed, his senses became clearer.

Now, some four months later, after weeks in the hospital for both of my parents, after surgeries and rehab, and doctor’s appointments and tests, my parents are both miraculously home. However, the residual effects of this terrible accident are still very evident.

Their Lenten journey this year, which no doubt will be one of suffering, will take them along the path of Jesus, who showed so much strength, as he stumbled his way up the hill to Calvary. That knowledge puts suffering into perspective for my parents, and it allows them to believe that they are in good company.

Curt Arens

First and foremost, Curt Arens is husband to his wife Donna and Dad to his children, Lauren, Taylor and Zac. He is a fourth generation family farmer, veteran farm journalist and Catholic author. His latest books are "Down to Earth: Celebrating a Blessed Life on the Land," and "A Year with Farm to Family: A Journal of Rural Life." Read more of Curt's stuff at www.downtoearthbooks.com.

Comments

• thank you for sharing. It is difficult to see our parents age. I have witness what an improvement can happen in an ill person after the anointing of the sick. Truly a miracle!

  Posted on Mar 15th, 2010 at 10:04 AM by unknown

• Thanks for sharing your story...our aging parents, who were once our rocks and now need us to be their rocks is a journey many are making today. Your story reminds me that it isn't only me. Faith eases the journey for all.

  Posted on Mar 15th, 2010 at 5:56 PM by Diane

• Curt, I know how difficult this must be for you. I also understand what it is like to be in constant pain, knowing it won't go away. It is very diffucult to live one's life in pain and still keep one's faith. Sounds like your parents are managing, together. It is a blessing they still have each other to talk to when it gets bad. Please assure them that you and they will all be in my prayers.

  Posted on Mar 16th, 2010 at 6:04 PM by Mary Breiner

• Curt, after reading this I understand the road your parents took as the same my parents took. I was so sorry to hear that your Father recently passed away. But to know that he will celebrate Easter with our Lord & be without pain will be a wonderful celebration. Your Mom & your family are in our prayers.

  Posted on Mar 17th, 2010 at 3:53 PM by June

• Curt, thanks for sharing it touched me deeply, Happy to hear your parents are still alive. Many blessings and in my prayers.

  Posted on Mar 17th, 2010 at 4:14 PM by Cynthia Villarreal

• Curt, thank you for sharing this story about your parents whose journey has brought more meaning to me about Christ's suffering and resurrection. We are never alone, no matter what is happening in our lives. God bless you and your family.

  Posted on Mar 18th, 2010 at 2:03 AM by Larry