Bicyclist's timing gives boost at tragic scene

Dear Lee: I grew up with my cousin, Mike. Relatives often commented on our similar rebellious patterns. I was there at times when no one else was, those times when we were younger and both struggling to understand.

He grew up to be so kind. He loved his brothers and sisters.

Two years ago, I received a phone call from my mom: Mike had been in an accident the previous night.

Mike and his friend, Sam, were driving on a back-country road. Mike pulled his car over at the bottom of a hill, driver-side wheels still on the road. As he walked to the trunk to fix the speakers and bent down to adjust the wires, a car came careening down the hill.

Mike didn't have time to react. The car hit him, he flew through the air, and that car met the front seats of Mike's car.

Sam was seriously injured. Mike died on impact.

My aunt was called in the middle of the night with the news that her son was dead. When she arrived at the scene, they wouldn't allow her near her son.

The police said the other driver was speeding at 75 mph in a 45 mph zone, and speculated that he had been drinking or taking drugs. Only 17, he already had several offenses on his record.

I needed to go to the site, to say goodbye to Mike. My aunt said bloodied gloves from the paramedics were still there, so I prepared myself for what I would see.

As I pulled to the scene, my throat grew tight. Broken glass and headlights lined the road, and I saw the gloves my aunt had mentioned.

I couldn't imagine the thoughts that went through Mike's mind in his last moments of life. I hoped his death was instantaneous and he didn't suffer.

I had brought spiritual items to place at the site to ensure Mike's peaceful passing. But as I imagined the horrible scene from the night before, I started sobbing. Looking to the sky, I pleaded, "God, I need someone -- anyone -- right now!"

I looked down and saw a bicyclist riding down the hill toward me. For some reason, I wasn't surprised! As he slowed down to talk, I wiped the tears away. He asked if he could help me with anything.

I said, "My cousin died here last night."

He grabbed my hands in his and said, "Oh, I am so sorry." He asked my name and how it happened. As I started crying again, he went into prayer. He prayed for ten minutes with me, comforting me with his words.

He asked for Mike's peaceful passing, for comfort to me and my family. He quoted Scriptures, spoke kind words, and said, "Let Heather know I'm sent from God to help her through this troubled time."

I thank God for sending me someone when I needed help most! I now know that Mike passed peacefully.Heather A.

Dear Ms. A.: My sincere condolences to you and your family concerning Mike's loss.

We greatly help others in distress by PRAYING with them. But think: this suddenly-appearing "man" might have been an angel! Actually, neither "spiritual items" placed later at the scene, nor the prayers of helpers afterward, guarantee what people experienced at death. Our best hope is that our loved ones themselves, during their lives or at death, chose to have a relationship with God and accept the free gift of eternal life with God.

Write Lee at PO Box 697, Cascade, ID 83611; or email dearlee@ctcweb.net.