Karshkovia
30-10-2008, 21:29
(ooc: Of all the wars, assasinations, terrorism and horrible deeds done here on II, and for all the anti-religion purges RPed, I felt it was time that at least one post reflected a story different from all others. RP however you wish. Comments welcome.)
A Symbol of Forgiveness
Zostar Daily News
By Wayne Drashik
Zostar, Karshkovia
“I'm Wade Pfar,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Because I got drunk and then got behind the wheel, two good people are dead. Because of me, Liz will never see her husband and daughter again..."
This was the start of a sobering message about responsible drinking which was given at a Zostar Church last Sunday by a young man barely in his twenties, and it has rocked the nation of Karshkovia. Not because of the tragic loss of life but because of the power of forgiveness.
On September 2nd, 2008 Wade Pfar had attended the wedding reception of a close friend where he had consumed eight beers over the course of nine hours. He said he felt fine to drive home, “but if you drink and drive anything can happen.”
Under the influence of a few beers, Pfar began driving home on Highway 75 near Zostar, Karshkovia when he passed out, hit a ditch, and sent his pickup into the air and across Highway 10. Highway 10 crosses Highway 75 just outside of the nation’s capital. While airborne, his pickup struck the cab of the pickup carrying Donald Parrow, 45, and 21-year-old daughter Rebecca, along Highway 10. Both Don and Becky were killed immediately. City Officials are quoted on saying it was the worst two-vehicle accident in the history of the city.
Near the end of the October 2nd trial, wife and mother of those killed in the accident, Liz Parrow, took the stand and testified, but it was for rather than against Pfar. During Mrs. Parrow's impassionate testimony, she stated that one family had already been destroyed because of this accident and now another family could be destroyed as well if Mr. Phar is sent to prison. Mrs. Parrow stated that she has forgiven Mr. Phar and does not hold any anger or wish any vengeance against him. Her Christian faith and beliefs teach her to forgive those that wrong her and asked that the Judge show mercy in sentencing.
During her testimony, she recalled an event one week before the trial and about three weeks after the horrendous tragedy of losing her husband and daughter. Liz Parrow received a call from one of Pfar's friends in which Liz recalls the woman on the other end of the phone call asking, “Wade would like to tell you how sorry he is in person. I know it's a lot to ask, but will you consider meeting him?”
“How do you forgive the person who has killed your mate and your only living child?”
“Warily I agreed to see Wade, who had been released on parole, at my church that weekend. When we met face to face after the service and I saw the tears coursing down his cheeks, I felt not anger but compassion. 'I'm sorry, Mrs. Parrow,'” he murmured. “I'm so sorry.” He hung his head and wept openly.”
At that moment, Liz Parrow said she made the incredible choice to tell the one who killed her family members that she forgave him.
“When I told Wade I forgave him, he cried harder. “I don't deserve it,” he sobbed. “How can you forgive me when I've taken so much from you?”
“I reached out and took his hand, “Only through God.”
At the end of the trial the Judge ruled that in light of the testimony given that day, instead of the standard eight year prison term normally handed down in a case as the one Wade was standing trial for, Wade would serve 2 years in the city jail and be granted work-release during the day time hours. He would also be required to speak to speak out on drinking and driving to youth groups, churches, and public events. Liz has decided to join Pfar on his trips around the region to speak out on not only drinking and driving but forgiveness.
“I agreed to do the speeches just to help people,” Pfar said, without looking out at the dozens of people gathered at the First Assembly of Christ church in Zostar. Part of their message stressed that Pfar was not an alcoholic, nor a heavy partier. He says he drank maybe two or three times a year. Even on the night of the accident he had not felt he had been impaired to drive.
Liz lost her only son, Tim, in a one-vehicle accident in 2006, a little more than two years before this accident claimed her only daughter and husband. “If it wasn't for God,” Liz said, “I would have nothing.” Even though she says she forgives Pfar, it doesn't take away her sadness and loneliness. She misses Don and Becky's singing at church, Becky's smile and Don's support of her decision to go back to college and pursue a career in nursing. “How do you forgive the person who has killed your mate and your only living child?” Liz asked. She said she turns to God for strength. “Forgiveness - this is the basis of the friendship between Wade and I,” she said. “Wade was created by God just as my children and my husband were.”
Pfar says he hasn't forgiven himself yet for the accident and is amazed that Liz did so quickly. He's working to pay Liz back for funeral expenses and hoping to someday be able to return his life to normal, he said. “Who wants to look at themselves in the mirror every morning and know they've killed somebody?” Pfar asked. “It doesn't matter where I am. That night and that accident just pops into my head and doesn't leave until it wants to. I don't think anyone here wants that to go through their heads for the rest of their lives.” Pfar also said, with his eyes to the ground, he would give up his own life to bring Don and Becky back to Liz.
A church member had video taped the speech made by the pair and posted it up on the internet where it has been forwarded, copied, and viewed millions of times over.
A Symbol of Forgiveness
Zostar Daily News
By Wayne Drashik
Zostar, Karshkovia
“I'm Wade Pfar,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Because I got drunk and then got behind the wheel, two good people are dead. Because of me, Liz will never see her husband and daughter again..."
This was the start of a sobering message about responsible drinking which was given at a Zostar Church last Sunday by a young man barely in his twenties, and it has rocked the nation of Karshkovia. Not because of the tragic loss of life but because of the power of forgiveness.
On September 2nd, 2008 Wade Pfar had attended the wedding reception of a close friend where he had consumed eight beers over the course of nine hours. He said he felt fine to drive home, “but if you drink and drive anything can happen.”
Under the influence of a few beers, Pfar began driving home on Highway 75 near Zostar, Karshkovia when he passed out, hit a ditch, and sent his pickup into the air and across Highway 10. Highway 10 crosses Highway 75 just outside of the nation’s capital. While airborne, his pickup struck the cab of the pickup carrying Donald Parrow, 45, and 21-year-old daughter Rebecca, along Highway 10. Both Don and Becky were killed immediately. City Officials are quoted on saying it was the worst two-vehicle accident in the history of the city.
Near the end of the October 2nd trial, wife and mother of those killed in the accident, Liz Parrow, took the stand and testified, but it was for rather than against Pfar. During Mrs. Parrow's impassionate testimony, she stated that one family had already been destroyed because of this accident and now another family could be destroyed as well if Mr. Phar is sent to prison. Mrs. Parrow stated that she has forgiven Mr. Phar and does not hold any anger or wish any vengeance against him. Her Christian faith and beliefs teach her to forgive those that wrong her and asked that the Judge show mercy in sentencing.
During her testimony, she recalled an event one week before the trial and about three weeks after the horrendous tragedy of losing her husband and daughter. Liz Parrow received a call from one of Pfar's friends in which Liz recalls the woman on the other end of the phone call asking, “Wade would like to tell you how sorry he is in person. I know it's a lot to ask, but will you consider meeting him?”
“How do you forgive the person who has killed your mate and your only living child?”
“Warily I agreed to see Wade, who had been released on parole, at my church that weekend. When we met face to face after the service and I saw the tears coursing down his cheeks, I felt not anger but compassion. 'I'm sorry, Mrs. Parrow,'” he murmured. “I'm so sorry.” He hung his head and wept openly.”
At that moment, Liz Parrow said she made the incredible choice to tell the one who killed her family members that she forgave him.
“When I told Wade I forgave him, he cried harder. “I don't deserve it,” he sobbed. “How can you forgive me when I've taken so much from you?”
“I reached out and took his hand, “Only through God.”
At the end of the trial the Judge ruled that in light of the testimony given that day, instead of the standard eight year prison term normally handed down in a case as the one Wade was standing trial for, Wade would serve 2 years in the city jail and be granted work-release during the day time hours. He would also be required to speak to speak out on drinking and driving to youth groups, churches, and public events. Liz has decided to join Pfar on his trips around the region to speak out on not only drinking and driving but forgiveness.
“I agreed to do the speeches just to help people,” Pfar said, without looking out at the dozens of people gathered at the First Assembly of Christ church in Zostar. Part of their message stressed that Pfar was not an alcoholic, nor a heavy partier. He says he drank maybe two or three times a year. Even on the night of the accident he had not felt he had been impaired to drive.
Liz lost her only son, Tim, in a one-vehicle accident in 2006, a little more than two years before this accident claimed her only daughter and husband. “If it wasn't for God,” Liz said, “I would have nothing.” Even though she says she forgives Pfar, it doesn't take away her sadness and loneliness. She misses Don and Becky's singing at church, Becky's smile and Don's support of her decision to go back to college and pursue a career in nursing. “How do you forgive the person who has killed your mate and your only living child?” Liz asked. She said she turns to God for strength. “Forgiveness - this is the basis of the friendship between Wade and I,” she said. “Wade was created by God just as my children and my husband were.”
Pfar says he hasn't forgiven himself yet for the accident and is amazed that Liz did so quickly. He's working to pay Liz back for funeral expenses and hoping to someday be able to return his life to normal, he said. “Who wants to look at themselves in the mirror every morning and know they've killed somebody?” Pfar asked. “It doesn't matter where I am. That night and that accident just pops into my head and doesn't leave until it wants to. I don't think anyone here wants that to go through their heads for the rest of their lives.” Pfar also said, with his eyes to the ground, he would give up his own life to bring Don and Becky back to Liz.
A church member had video taped the speech made by the pair and posted it up on the internet where it has been forwarded, copied, and viewed millions of times over.