WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE

Imagine the thrill of just seeing your child graduate from high school— all the excitement of a bright future filling your heart. It is one of those pinnacle days for any parent. And then imagine, just hours later, at midnight, getting a knock at your front door and opening it to see a group of somber police officers asking, “Are you Dr. Verea?” And then the news that would implode the world of  Dr. Jorge and Lourdes Verea. Their precious daughter Rebeka was dead, killed in a car accident. The driver, a family friend, was speeding. To make matters worse, he never apologized or accepted responsibility for this tragic evening. And that’s how our worlds became acquainted….The Verea family came upon my story while I was in prison. They were so graciously moved by my remorse, as captured in an online video, that they contacted my parents and asked if they could meet. Their lack of closure and accountability from the driver responsible for Rebeka’s death caused them to feel a connection with the accountability factor in my story that their soul craved. They met my family and received them as part of their family exhibiting empathy, compassion, and understanding. I heard all about them via phone conversations from prison.The way they handled their tragedy showed their inexplicable strength and instead of being buried by anger, remorse, and sorrow they chose not to have Rebeka’s death be the last chapter of her life. Their mission was to save lives in honor of Rebeka’s life.They created the Rebeka Verea Foundation, which spearheads a variety of initiatives to change the narrative of youth regarding careless and distracted driving. Their annual symposium held on Rebeka’s birthday has become one of the most respected of its kind in New Jersey. The program has grown in scope, popularity and influence in its nine years.Last year, upon my release from prison, I got to speak at this event and finally had the opportunity to meet the Verea’s--two of the most compassionate and joyous people in spite of suffering such deep loss. I will forever be indebted to them for embracing me, my story, and most importantly, my parents, especially at a time  when my parents were trying to navigate through such devastation. Sarah and I are on the road once again to meet with the Verea’s for an in-service dinner at the Palisadium hosting over 300 educators from Bergen and Hudson County to spread the message of prevention and driving safety.  I am privileged to be a part of this program and as I retell my story it is with the prayer that binds us together and lies deep within all of our hearts--to influence students and save lives.