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Parents Forgive Driver Who Killed Their Sons

Could You Be as Forgiving as These Parents Whose 2 Sons Were Killed by a Truck Driver?

Hadley Eddings was driving with her 2-year-old son Dobbs over Memorial Day weekend — directly behind her husband Gentry, in his own car — when a box truck drive rammed into both of them after running a red light. Dobbs, who was strapped into his car seat in the back, passed away on the way to the hospital, and Hadley, who was 8 months pregnant, was forced to deliver the baby, Reed, in an emergency C-section. Though he was born at 38 weeks, Reed lived for just a few days.

Most parents — most humans in general, really — would understand if Gentry and Hadley responded in anger and hatred toward Matthew Deans, the driver of the box truck. Instead, the couple shared stories of Dobbs at the funeral at their church in North Carolina — where Gentry is a worship leader — and told the over 800 people in attendance, "We have, in our hearts, forgiven the man who did this." The couple continued by urging those present to "forgive anyone in your life who you hold anything against," which grief experts agree is crucial in overcoming anger and vengeance.

For a lot of people, this may seem easier said than done, especially in light of a tragedy resulting from a senseless action, as was the case with this heart-wrenching accident. But for the Eddings, this part of the grieving process is coming naturally, though they are suffering the most painful loss.

Image Source: GoFundMe
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