The Miracle of Life

In April of 1961 my family was on vacation visiting family in Idaho. They were heading back home to Riverside California going through Oregon. My mom was 34 weeks pregnant with me at the time and she was getting antsy.  She was hoping that if she drove that would help her. My dad pulled over and let her drive and he then took a nap on one of the seats of their VW van. 

Several miles down the road, the Axel of the van broke and my mom lost control. The VW ended up rolling a few times which threw my father out and killed him instantly. My siblings had several cuts from the broken bottles of fruit they were taking back with them and a lot of bruising. My oldest sister broke her arm. 

My mom was told by the doctor who examined her when she was taken to the hospital that she would more than likely lose her baby, especially because of the trauma from the accident and she had lost 3 babies from miscarriages. In addition, had my mom not traded my dad places, she would have been gone, and I therefore would have never been born.

It was a miracle the accident wasn’t more severe and that my mom wasn’t more injured than she was.  Heavenly Father had a purpose in this and I know without a doubt that I’m supposed to be here.