My youngest sister Katy, her husband, and their 7-month old son were in a serious car accident yesterday. Katy and Seth are uninjured, but Gabe did not survive.
Fortunately, their older son Sammy was at my parents' house and not in the car.
Gabe was a wonderful husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle. His curiosity and good nature added so much to all of our family gatherings, and we had just spent time with them on our vacation in August.
He was one of Stella's godparents--we chose him because he has two younger brothers with Down syndrome, and his parents, Bob and Midge Custer, were so supportive right after Stella was born.
Here is a photo of the family right after Seth was born in March.
The full obituary can be read at this website.
Gabe's loss is immeasurable and I don't know what else to say.
5 comments:
Dear Amy,
I'm so sorry to hear about this terrible loss for you & your family. It must be so difficult to have so much of other people's grief to handle -- your kids', your sister's -- as well as your own. Good luck getting through the near future,
Eileen
my condolences
Oh gosh--Amy, I know this is an impersonal way to reach out, but I don't have your email handy and I just read this terrible news. I am so sorry for your sister and your family. Such a young guy, with a family just beginning. It is a terrible loss, and all I can do is extend my deep sympathy.
--Sandra Beasley, in DC
My dear friends, if you are reading this now, thanks so much for your comments. I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to read them--I got some "spam" comments awhile back and enabled moderation, then forgot how to do it.
I appreciate your thoughts. Katy is doing really well, considering. A few weeks ago she moved back into her house with the boys, with a lot of help from family and friends.
To the family and friends of Gabe,
I was a paramedic on that call that beautiful October day. I cannot believe it has been 10 years since that happened. I continue to pray for the family and friends who survive, that the Lord will bring them solace and peace. My wife and I had a very similar situation to Gabe and Katy. We both had 2 boys the same age, and we were all of similar ages. I could not help but think of my own family that day. I prayed intensely that day and have continued to pray for the family. I have always wanted to reach out and contact a family member to let them know that every one of the rescue workers and paramedics on scene that day were truly loving and caring people. I wanted them to know that they were surrounded by people of faith who sought to bring a small light of hope in a time of great darkness and sadness. I never knew how to do this until I came across this blog. May God bless Gabe's family and friends.
MP, EMT-P
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