Josefina

Josefina on the first day of school.

Family,

This past week has been a very hard and interesting one for me.

On Friday, August 27, Josefina's mother pulled me aside after school to inform me that they were going on a family vacation to California and would be gone a few days. Of course Josefina had only been in my class for 5 days (school had started that Monday). I was impressed with her mother to be so on top of things and concerned that her daughter wouldn't miss out on anything at school.

One Wednesday afternoon the principal pulled me out of class to talk to me in the hall (about ten minutes before the school day ended) to tell me about my student Josefina. He informed me that the family had been driving home early that morning (about 2:30am) and were about 20 minutes outside of Provo when the father fell asleep at the wheel. The suv rolled and rolled and rolled. From the pictures and everything else it looked pretty horrific. He informed me that Josefina's father, older sister (12-year-old, 6th grader at Farrer), and younger sister (4-year-old preschooler) had all died on the scene. Josefina's one-year-old sister had a broken arm and was in the hospital. Josefina and her mother were both in critical condition. Of course I was really sad about the whole situation, but didn't really feel a huge connection to Josefina, seeing as how she only came to school for five days.

After school was out the principal announced it to the faculty. The 6th grade teacher (of the girl who had died) was a mess. Everyone was so sad and worried about the family. How would they pay for 3 funerals and all the medical bills? What about poor Josefina and her mother? What about the one-year-old? There were four social workers there talking to me and the 6th grade teacher telling us that they would be at the school the next day to help out with any students who weren't taking it well. I thought I would be totally fine, however, I went home and bawled.

Thursday morning Greg had to go to work really early (4am). Right after he left for work I couldn't go back to sleep. I was so worried about little Josefina and her family. I kept thinking about little Josefina so hurt in her hospital bed and so sad about everything that had happened to her family. I got to work and watched the report of the wreck on ksl.com. I was a basketcase. I was so tired and sad and I couldn't stop crying.

The assistant principal came into my classroom about 5 minutes before school started to see how I was doing. When I started to answer him I couldn't hold back or hide the tears. He offered to break the news to my class for me, but I told him I would be fine. Finally the bell rang for school to start and that meant that I had to talk to the kids about Josefina.

As I said good morning to the kids as they came in, I was still extremely emotional. I had to tell my class in the morning because that was the only time that the social workers were going to be at the school. I brought all the kids to the rug and started to tell them. I couldn't even say Josefina's name without crying. I didn't want to scare the kids, so I just told them that she had been in a really bad car accident and was in the hospital and she probably wouldn't be at school for a while. After I told them, I was totally fine and wasn't crying anymore. We wrote her cards and the kids did a great job. All the kids seemed just fine. None of them needed to see a counselor.

On Friday we found out that Josefina had been released from the hospital. When I found out, I went directly to my students to tell them. The kids were so pleased and happy. One kids raised his hand and said, "It's because I prayed for her last night."

Today the PTA put on a Benefit Bake Sale for the family. As you can imagine 3 funerals and all those medical bills can get quite pricey. I announced the Bake Sale in RS and Greg announced it in Elder's Quorum yesterday at church. Since we live close to Farrer, everyone in our ward lives in the neighborhood of this family. They had a great turnout at the Bake Sale and raised a lot of money, more than they expected.

After attending the Bake Sale, Greg and I headed over to Josefina's. Her mother is still in the hospital, but Josefina has an aunt that lives in Springville, so she is staying there for now. When we stopped by I was really worried about the Josefina's living conditions. Her aunt lived in a trailer park. When we knocked on the door, there was little Josefina watching cartoons. I was so happy to see her. Her feet were really badly burned from the accident and she had a few scrapes on her face. She has a little bandage on her foot, but that is it. The baby sister that is one-year-old has a little arm cast.

Josefina was really shy the whole time we were there. I gave her a stuffed animal from the school and a bunch of cards from the students. She loved the cards and kept reading them. It seems like her family is really nice and she is in a good situation right now. Although she has lost 3 family members, she has her aunt, uncle, and cousins. She seemed to be in good spirits. As I talked with her relatives, it was mostly in Spanish. Greg kept smiling because he didn't understand a word. We even took a picture while we visited. I feel so much better now that I have seen her. Her cousin said that Josefina's mom is doing better, but still in the hospital.

Right before we left, we asked if there was anything we could do to help. The uncle just said money. One funeral is expensive enough, but three...that is overwhelming. Plus all the medical bills. I don't think he was aware that the PTA had the Bake Sale today and that school has started a fund at Zion's Bank for the family.

After this experience I am so grateful for my family. We don't express enough how much we love each other. I am also amazed at how much love I have for my students. Every student is so precious to me now. I am also so paranoid of Greg driving tired to work. It's so scary. I am so interested to see what this school year will bring. I am excited to work with and help Josefina and her family.

Love,
Haley

P.S. Check out this link: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12314687

Me visiting Josefina after the accident.


Cute girl.