‘I knew something was terribly wrong’
(1 of 3) “It was a Sunday morning seven years ago. We were getting ready for church. We began going about three weeks earlier. We had both been sober for those three weeks. In fact, Pedro had just gotten baptized. We were on the right track, we thought.
“He was set to begin a new job the next day. He needed to get a part for his car, so he decided to get a ride to the store before church. Our kids, Mia and Pete, were in third and fourth grades. When we came home from church, there was no sign of Pedro. No calls. No texts. I knew something was terribly wrong.
“We drove around and looked for him. The kids made ‘Have You Seen My Daddy?’ signs, and posted them on trees. It was heartbreaking. They went to school on Monday. I told them, ‘If I find your daddy, I will come get you.’
“I was calling hospitals, police stations, everywhere. We couldn’t find him. He didn’t bring his wallet or phone with him. Finally, with a little help and the right information, we found him. He was admitted as John Doe to the Shock Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was in a coma. It was the heaviest news I’ve ever received. My knees buckled. I called my mom. I remember telling her I was so relieved he’d been baptized. I thought it was over.
“When I went to get the kids, they immediately knew it was bad. Pedro was the passenger in a single vehicle rollover accident. He wasn’t wearing a seat belt. He went through the windshield and sustained several life-threatening injuries.
“He spent three months in two hospitals. There was no brain damage. He regained more ability than was originally predicted. He grew stronger. He has issues, for sure: pain, lack of mobility, spasms and more. But something miraculous happened. Pedro was saved. His life was spared. He was given the most amazing second chance. What was intended for heartbreak, death and hopelessness was traded for love, beauty, life and confidence.
“Not a single day goes by that we aren’t grateful. I will never have enough words to explain how blessed we are.”
— Kimberly Infante
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