It was May 4, a Friday morning much like any other day except that this would be the day that would devastate our lives, destroy our hopes and dreams for the future and cast us into despair.

My daughter, Lori called that morning asking if I would like to go with her and the kids to Irvine Spectrum. Kyle had just turned five years old the day before and was looking forward to riding the ferris wheel because, as he said, “he was a big boy now.” Kyle, Emma and I rode the Ferris wheel while Lori and Katie headed off to the merry-go-round.  The three of us met up with them and from there we went to the pet store and then to lunch.

 It was a little before 1:00 pm when we decided to head for home.  Everyone was safely buckled in their car seats. Kyle was playing with his Nintendo, Emma was watching a DVD, and Katie was drifting off to sleep.

The traffic slowed and then came to a stop as we approached the Oso Parkway off ramp. Then the unthinkable happened . . . and in a split second our lives were shattered and our entire family forever changed. Kyle, Emma and Katie were dead and we were left behind to grieve and to ask why. Why didn’t we die instead of them? Why didn’t we die with them? Why, why, why?

 We were walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but as we would soon discover, we weren’t alone. God was grieving with us, our family and friends were grieving with us and to our amazement, perfect strangers were grieving with us. We were in a state of grace and were showered with love, kindness and generosity – the best that the human spirit has to offer.

 Passersby first on the scene of the accident surrounded our car, pried open our doors and carried Lori and me to safety. They stayed with us and prayed over us until help arrived. The many firemen on the scene -- five stations in all -- kept talking to us, reassuring us that the children were not alone, that someone was with each one of them. We later found out that the firemen were talking to each one of them, telling them that their mother and grandmother were close by and being cared for. They held them, stroked their hair and did their best to save them.

 We saw the love, tenderness and tears in the eyes of the doctors, nurses and clergy. Within what seemed like a matter of hours, people were asking what they could do to help. Lori, Chris, my husband, Jim, and I were in a safe cocoon at the hospital and were virtually unaware what was happening outside. 

 Unbeknownst to us, friends and neighbors were organizing candlelight vigils; Ladera Ranch merchants were making and distributing donation boxes to help the family. The people in the community were tying pink and blue ribbons on almost every tree in Ladera. Three angles were put up on the Oso overpass. Banners displayed love and support for the Coble family. Since Lori was in the hospital for six days and Chris was constantly by her side, family and friends stepped in to take care of the funeral arrangements. Approximately 1,000 people attended the funeral.

 Our entire family was showered with cards, flowers and meals from friends, churches and various organizations. A website was set up so that people could offer their condolences, express their sadness and give support and encouragement to Lori and Chris. 

 Chris’ employer has been incredibly compassionate and understanding and told him to take off as much time as he needed.   People made prayer blankets and jewelry with the children’s pictures, birthstones, names or initials. They wrote poems or sent books on grieving.

 One person took it upon herself to have hundreds of stickers made with the children’s names encircled by three hearts for anyone that would like to display them on their car window.

 Various businesses, restaurants, PTA’s, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, soccer teams, and track teams held fund raisers. Small businesses offered their services. There was a golf tournament and a motorcycle ride.

 Pre-school and elementary school classes drew pictures of angels and sent cards. Middle and high school students held fund raisers.  A scholarship, Angels on Earth, was set up for pre-school age children. Small groups of children set up lemonade stands. One little boy Kyle’s age sent his favorite baseball card because he would rather Kyle have it than keep it himself.

 The Ladera community donated a bench and three magnolia trees that now sit at the end of the cul de sac near Lori and Chris’ home.  The neighborhood children gave Lori and Chris pictures of themselves with Kyle, Emma and Katie, wrote notes saying how much they loved and missed them, drew pictures and even gave them candy; all of which were carefully placed in 3 separate boxes that were buried under the trees.   

 Because of the generosity of others, there is a new tree and a beautiful marble bench at the cemetery with Kyle, Emma and Katie’s names and an inscription that reads, “life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

 There are not enough words to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has touched our lives and walked with us through this most difficult time. Thank you for your charity.  You have taken our breaths away.

Love, Cynthia Maestri

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Jim and Cynthia Maestri