Yesica

My mother in law sent these beautiful flowers to my family and I, she's so sweet and thoughtful! 

It's been almost a week since we found out my cousin Yesica passed away. This week has been particularly extra long. It's still hard to believe. She was so young. My aunt said that they had just changed her work schedule that week so she had to take the car which she normally never did. Saturday morning her husband got a phone call from the cops. He was on the metro on his way to work when they called him and said Yesica had died in a car accident that morning around 5:30 and had died instantly. He made it to work and the cops picked him up there. My aunt said that the cops had showed up at the house before calling Santiago, but the kids didn't answer the door. Thank goodness! It was meant to be that their dad tell them the news and not the cops. Lani said that when their dad got home that his eyes were puffy and she thought he had lost his job. When they heard the news they were all in shock and Jr just stood there frozen. I can't even imagine :(

Although this has been an extra difficult week for them, they have been able to see the Lord's tender mercies. Their strength and testimony has just been mind blowing. My mom visited them a couple days after the accident and she said she was in awe at how calm and at peace they all were. I feel like the fact that they were all so strong in the gospel has made this week bearable. 

Her oldest son Santiago Jr graduated Highschool a couple days after the accident, I can't believe what a strong young man he is! I don't know that I would've been able to make it to my graduation if that happened. My aunt (her mom) mentioned to me that Yesica was worried about Jr not being able to graduate since they had just moved from out of state and she didn't know if all his credits would transfer. He received his cap and gown a couple days before she passed so she was able to see him wear it. 

Another thing that makes me choke up is the fact that she finished all her genealogy work that she was so anxious to finish. 

My aunt said she used to complain to Yesica about Santiago doing so much work around the house. Santiago would often take the kids because Yesica was tired so they kids were extra close to their dad. Santiago mentioned that he was scared about being alone now that she is gone, but in fact, she had been preparing him for this through out all of these years, he just doesn't see it yet. 

It seems as if Yesica left everything ready for this moment. 

It would've have been nice to wait a little longer for Jr to graduate and for them to move into their house (which is next month) but I told my mom, perhaps she did wait. Perhaps this was extra time that we had on earth with her. She finished the things she needed to do. Jr felt that his mom was at the graduation with him, so in a way she was able to still attend, just not in the same way we would think.

Yesica was always so sweet with every one. You can tell this by meeting her kids. They don't know anything else but to be nice to everyone. She ALWAYS had a smile on her face, just like her youngest daughter.

We got to visit with them after Priscilla's graduation. I was also amazed at how much at peace they were with the whole situation. Once again my testimony of the power of prayer is strengthened. I know they have hundreds of people praying for them because they were so kind to everyone they met. The girls joke that they have mountains of food piled up in the kitchen from all the people that are bringing them food. 

I know that the viewing and funeral will be hard for them. I also know that they are going to be okay. That prayer will uplift them and help them feel at peace with the whole situation. The car that crashed into her was an 18 year old boy who ran the red light. Santiago said that as much as he was angry with this person he felt he needed to forgive him and wasn't going to press any charges. He felt like the simple fact of knowing that his wrecklessness took his wife's life was punishment enough. He also said he felt and heard Yesica tell him in a dream that she was okay and that she was happy. This also helped him forgive the other driver. 

Through out this crazy week I am also reminded of what an amazing, close knit family I have. Whenever something happens you can always count on the love and support of my family. How lucky am I to have them for eternity. I will continue to pray for the Ramos family as they approach the hardest days of their lives. And to Yesica, who is up there with her dad, "God be with you till we meet again!"