On August 27, many of us gathered at Millersylvania Park for a long-awaited congregational picnic. What a wonderful and joyous event! So many attended for food, music and fellowship. There were games! Lots of kids! A sing-along! And yummy food! It was wonderful to gather outside in that beautiful setting.
What you may not be aware of is that tragedy also struck in the park that day. I’m going to say a bit about that and invite you to not read further if you prefer.
Toward the end of the picnic, Wendy Tanner came to tell me that emergency vehicles were down the road in the park and that likely meant an accident or drowning. So, Wendy and I went to see if we could be of service. When I arrived, the EMTs and police chaplain put me to work sitting with the family and friends of a young man named Miguel who had gone underwater and who the police divers were attempting to rescue.
You can imagine that the family and friends of this young man were distraught as Miguel had been underwater for some time.
When the divers rescued Miguel, they took him to an ambulance and eventually transported him to the hospital. As I sat with the family and friends, I listened to their stories of him and of the day. I listened to their grief and their hope.
When the family and police crew left, I took a few minutes to pray for Miguel and his family and to center myself before returning to the OUUC picnic. I thought I’d likely never know what happened to Miguel as I prayed for him in the days that followed. A few days later, I saw a small article in the newspaper about the accident and that the un-named young man was in critical care at the hospital.
Last week I learned that Miguel Ramos was 28 years old when he died on September 2. He left behind his beloved and a baby born earlier this year. HIs family describes Miguel as a giver, as even in death he was an organ donor.
His family is seeking help with burial costs for him through a Go Fund Me campaign. I have donated to the fund and invite you to do so. You can find the campaign here.
We never know how our interconnection will show up and impact us. Being with Miguel and his family, I was reminded how deeply we are interconnected and how we can be invited, gently or not, to recognize that connection.
Please join me in sending support to Miguel’s family in whatever form you can, spiritual and financial.
In gratitude for the reminders in whatever form, I wish you blessings on your week.
Rev. Mary
Minister@ouuc.org