Widow's Story: Sandra J. H.

Sandy & Steve at MJ & Laura's wedding

I know the struggles of being both a single mom and now a widow. I became a single mom when my son MJ's dad and I divorced in 1987. On top of that, for my job on an ambulance, MJ and I moved to a town where I knew no one. Although MJ is the one child I gave birth to, I've I raised many! I was always the "KoolAide Mom" in each of our various neighborhoods!!

Steve and I were married Oct 4, 2008. He was killed in a car wreck on March 5, 2010. I was talking with him on the phone when it happened. We were very close and I always called him on my drive home from work.

Steve had been at the Henryville Forestry Preserve with our Pastor Dan McDonald where they both loved to shoot. Steve was driving home on Hwy 160, when a man who had just been released from U of L Hospital on a mental inquest warrant was driving to his parents house.

This man decided he wanted to take his life so he crossed the center line and hit Steve’s car. Steve never had a chance. I heard a screech and then the phone went dead. I blew up his phone trying to get him to call me back. I went home--he wasn't there. So I started driving down Hwy 160 and followed a fire truck rushing to the scene. I watched medics take my husband out of his Ford Explorer. They started CPR and took him to U of L where they worked on him for 45 minutes but couldn't get him back.

Steve was saved on Dec 28, 2008. He became very active in our church as the Financial Officer and also as an Elder Candidate. He was very instrumental in getting our church a loan for two room additions to the church. He was a very loving, kind, and generous man who was not only my husband and my lover, but also my best friend.

If it wasn't for God, my family and my church family I would have never gotten through these last almost 18 months.

Steve's 2 kids and 3 grandkids are as much a part of me, as MJ was to Steve. We are all still very close. MJ was as broken hearted as Steve's kids were. He said Steve had taught him what a real dad was supposed to be. MJ has been married now for two years-- I joke I have a "granddog," Rosey, from them.

I lost my mom to a quick battle of lung cancer just six months after Steve, on Aug. 6, 2010. My dad had died July 8, 1980. But I have a wonderful stepdad, Johnny, who raised me and my brother as his own.

I thank God for giving me the blessing of having Steve in my life. He showed me that I could be loved and cared for. I can never imagine getting married again. We were so close.

If I can help anyone, I believe that is what God wants me to do--to help others in their time of need. God has Blessed me in SO many ways. That is the least I can do for Him.

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Thank you for sharing your story, Sandy. I know it helps others to get to hear it and to see that God is real and active in your life, and blessing you in spite of the heartache of losing Steve. We'll be praying for you, and especially as the date of your mom's home-going comes up.

 

If you're in our Lifeboat group on Facebook, you can friend Sandy and get to know her even better. If you'd like to join Lifeboat, let me know and I'll be happy to add you. 

♥ ferree