Why pray? Sonja's story

In a world of tweets, texts and emojis, there sits at a desk in a modest one bedroom home, an 87 year old widow who mails out between 70-100 hand crafted greeting cards to vets, seniors and shut-ins EVERY MONTH. These gems are painstakingly cut and matted, some are painted or stamped and some are even embroidered with shimmery thread, and all include a hand-written note expressing her good wishes. She even sends out a monthly card to those who are over 100 years old because, well..they may not be around in a year!

That abruptly ended 4 years ago on March 18th. In Sonja’s house, in front of her washer and dryer, there is a trap door with 6 1/2 feet of steps leading down to the dirt floor of the crawl space. Sonja knew the door was open and was careful to avoid the hole. Reaching up to the shelf over the washer to retrieve her garden clippers, turned a little too quickly and into the hole she fell, breaking her neck in 2 places, as well as her spine, collarbone, ribs, big toe and puncturing one lung.

It was 2 1/2 weeks before she regained consciousness in London’s Trauma Centre. Here are her words.

“I vividly saw myself strapped to a bed frame and was frantic from discomfort. I remember hollering out, “God, what have I done so bad that you’ve thrown me into hell?” I honestly believed that’s where I was. Shortly after that, the hallucinations became less and visions gave me hope.

The most vivid vision stays with me even now. I only wish I was a painter so I could preserve and share it. I’m sitting in a meadow with my neck brace on and asking God to show me my angels. Suddenly, people of all ages, sizes, nationalities, and skin colours are beginning to surround me.

“These are your angels”, God said. They’re praying for you. Angels are not always heavenly beings…they are people right here on earth….friends and strangers”. I felt totally surrounded by love! Then I saw a beggar sitting in the corner of my vision and I asked, “God, even him?” God replied, “Help him and the blessing will be returned,” I took that to mean it isn’t up to me to judge others.

My doctor told me that I shouldn’t have survived the fall and even if I had survived, I should be paralysed. What a wake-up call! During my journey back to health, I kept being reminded that people were praying for me. When I became frustrated and felt like giving up, I would feel a warmth and calm come over me and God told me that it was because people were praying for me.

I’m here for 2 reasons. Your prayers achieved a miracle and there’s something I still need to do.”