UPDATE: Woman Recuperates, Faces Challenges Ahead
By Bob Harp
CHAPARRAL — Last weekend, Mary and Jesus Enriquez’ world was torn apart by a head-on collision in their car that claimed Jesus’ life and left Mary still recuperating in the hospital.
The accident that left her a widow and a single mother to raise five children has not dampened Mary’s resolve, her faith and certainly not her courage, all in the face of tragic adversity.She is now moving forward.
Still recovering from herinjuries,Mary toldABC-7 that her kids are all she’s worried about. “I told Him, God, don’t take me. Please don’t take me. Let me go back to my kids. That’s whenI opened my eyes.”
She said she doesn’t remember anything about the head-on collision that killed her husband, and the driver who investigators said caused the crash. “I kept asking for my husband. They kept telling me ‘He’s okay, he’s okay.”
After her condition was stabilized, only then did Mary learn the truth. Instead of Christmas shopping for Jesus, she’ll be trying to pay for his funeral. “He was such a wonderful father, a great friend, good person, good-hearted person, the love of my life. I’m still waiting for him to walk through the door. I know he’s here with me.”
With Jesus, Marygave birth tofive children, ages 9, 8, 7 and a set of 9-month-old twins.”I just thank God that one of us survived and that He didn’t take both of us.”
Mary said it’s been very difficult to go without seeing her youngest children. “If I see them, they’ll give me hope to be alive.” With a religious book on her lap, Marysaid no matter how long it takes, she will find the power to keep her family together.
“You never lose faith. That’s what keeps you going,” Mary said. The kids are all stayingwith relatives; the three oldest children go to school in the Gadsden School District.
Those wishing to help the family with clothes, school supplies or even Christmas presents can call the GISD headquarters at 505/882-6200or visit any Wells Fargo Bank location.
