Last Updated on March 11, 2024
Tuesday was a hard, hard day.
Sitting in an auditorium filled with the sounds of weeping teens and parents. The worst nightmare of every parent of a teen — a funeral for a teenager.
My dear friend lost her daughter to a traffic accident caused by a teen driver who had been drinking. How many times had she and her husband told their daughter never to get into a car if the driver had consumed any amount of alcohol? Probably as many times as you and I have told our own teens.
As the photographs of this beautiful girl filled the projection screens I thought I might go mad if it weren’t for the fact that I knew she had placed her faith in Jesus Christ and she was now dancing with Jesus.
My grief was for her family and especially my friend, her mother. Have you ever hugged a friend and heard an anguished cry so deep that you knew she was breaking inside? I ache for her to my core. I pray for her and her husband constantly, I read Scripture over them and pray for God’s grace and peace.
My teenagers found it very difficult to go to the funeral home, but my husband and I knew it was something they needed to experience. After we got home my daughter came to me and said, “Please tell Mr. Powell that when I said ‘Yes, Sir,’ I meant it.” She shared with me that Mr. Powell told her something very important that she was committed to because it made such a strong impression on her.
I would appreciate it if you told your teenager, and all the teenagers you have influence over, that Mr. Powell has a message for them, too.
This father, who was in the process of grieving the loss of his 17-year-old daughter, hugged each of my children, looked each of them in the eye and gave them a very clear message, “Never get in the car with someone who has been drinking. Never.”
I pray that this message every parent utters will hold more meaning when it comes from the mouth of a father who never again will look his daughter in the eye … this side of heaven.
Tracey Eyster is the Founder of MomLife Today and the annual Mom Camp event. Her book Be The Mom, LifeWay Bible Study Beautiful Mess and speaking engagements have allowed her the privilege of speaking into the lives of women sharing what God is teaching her. “Be intentional. Be relational. Be selfless.” In a nutshell, that’s her life and message. Tracey has been a mom since 1993 and she and Bill have been married for over 30 years.
Never. Never. Never.
What a powerful recollection of a tragic event. Thanks for capturing it so well.
I decided not to hold back any details of this death to my six-year-old daughter and niece, and we had a very long discussion about what happened to this beautiful young woman. I wanted to impress upon their young minds how fragile life is and how important all of our choice are. And how dangerous drinking and driving are. I hope it will be a lasting lesson for them. My prayers and anguish have also been with this family. Thanks for sharing this, Tracey.
It is a message for all. Call someone that will come and get you home. Young men when you are out with a young lady it is your responsibility to get her home safely.
Thank you Rocky for the poignant reminders. I lost a brother under similar circumstances 10 years ago. I understand a smattering of what you and your family are going through and what you'll be facing in the coming days, weeks, months and years. I'll continue to keep you lifted up in prayer.
I know the pain. We lost a close friend to drunk driving. Even though my daughter was very young at the time she is still affected 4 years later. Dealing with death is never easy but it is more difficult when it can be prevented.
just posted an article on my blog about preventing drub/alcohol abuse http://www.lookwhatmomfound.com/2009/04/above-inf…