August 1, 2013.

You may have read about my brothers that make me happy on my 100 happy days recap post. If you would like to read more, I have written about our experience and have included pictures from this time in my life. Although this story is a really hard one to tell, I feel like this is a way for me to get closer to my readers and for you guys to really know who I am. Readers discretion advised.

First. Here are some photos from our life before the accident. 

Here's the story. 

Every summer, several families (including mine) get together and go on a trip to the river. Summer of 2013 was no different, although Eli, Liam and I stayed back since he was only a few months old. The trip was over and they were on their way home. The boys (my brother and his friends) had planned a trip to the ranch for the very next day, just like always. August 1, 2013. A day I will never forget. It was 6:01pm when I got the call from Dad. I ignored it because usually he was just calling to say hi and Liam and I were at the hospital with a dear friend who was being induced to meet her sweet daughter that night or the very next day. I called him back a few minutes later when I heard what was going to end up as the worst news ever. "The boys are in San Antonio and are being life flighted to the hospital. They were in a car accident, but they are all ok."  They were hit by a loaded dump truck, where my brother, Chase, was ejected from the vehicle (he broke through the back glass of the truck-he did not have his seat belt on). I freaked, but he assured me they were fine and all of the families were on their way to bring the boys home from the hospital, or so we thought. Liam and I left the hospital in Sugar Land immediately because even though they were "ok", I couldn't keep it together. We waited for what felt like hours for an update. (We live about 2 and a half-3 hours away from San Antonio, Texas) We tried to go about our regular nightly schedule when my mom called and she had finally heard from Chase. He said he was ok and that he was in the emergency room. That gave me comfort, but I still had 5 other "brothers" to worry about. Not even an hour later, while I was giving Liam a bath, my phone rang and it was Mom. "Austin didn't make it", she sobbed. My body went numb. My brother didn't make it. I couldn't process the words fast enough. I began to scream and Eli came and held me close. I couldn't believe what I just heard. There is no way my brother didn't make it. I tried to get myself together and be strong for my baby who still needed me. Once my mom made it to the hospital, she sent me a picture of my brother and I just couldn't handle it.

I wanted to be next to him so bad. At the time, they said he had a broken pelvis, 4 broken ribs, and lacerated liver, kidney, and spleen. They had inserted a chest tube to help filter out the blood that was in his chest/stomach. My other "brother" Justin, was in the worst shape of all. He had what felt like everything wrong with him and ended up in induced a coma to help the swelling of his brain. Although I was not extremely close with the other boys involved in this accident, I was blessed to eventually be at the hospital with them and to watch them start the healing process. It has now been 9 months, and it feels like an eternity. I think about Austin every day and so badly wish there was something else the doctors could have done. I know my brother hurts every single day as he lost his best friend of many many years, and that's what hurts the most. Prayers are still appreciated for all the families who were involved, because although these boys are now physically ok...our hearts are still broken.

This was just a couple of weeks ago. Liam and his uncle Chase. 

To Austin, you can now honestly say "you made it"! We love you and miss you every single day!

Rest in peace. 

1996-2013. 

Xoxo

Haley