i4Give Day

This incredibly heartbreaking yet beautiful story touched my heart so much – a story sent to me from an Australian friend on a recent visit. What a testimony of redemption, forgiveness, healing, and sheer love in the midst of unspeakable pain.

The parents of four children killed by a drunk driver in Australia’s Sydney west want the anniversary of their deaths to be a day of forgiveness and celebration. Siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed on February 1 2021 while walking to the shop for an ice-cream when they were struck by an out-of-control ute that mounted a footpath where they were walking.

The Abdallah and Sakr families (Maronite Catholics) have forgiven the driver (who pleaded guilty to seven charges), as an important step in their grieving process. The families have launched ‘i4give Day’, to be held each anniversary (Feb 1) in memory of the children and to encourage people to reflect on events and relationships in their own lives.

The Abdallah family are devout Maronite Catholics and credit God with helping them through their grief. Leila Abdullah said, “We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred. Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.” Her husband Danny said he faced a choice to take a “path of destruction or a path of construction.” “I forgive myself and I forgive the offender for the greater good of my family,” he said. “This has allowed us to live in a state of peace and grace, and I promise you if my children were here today they’d say, ‘Forgive him’.” Leila went on to say, “Forgiveness frees up your emotions. It brings healing to a hurting soul and allows you to have peace in your heart.” She said the family’s wishes were for the entire community to “unite under the umbrella of this day. It starts in your heart, spreads to the family and reaches to the community.”

Update: The Abdallah family welcomed a new daughter on March 18th, 2022, naming her Selina, a mix of Sienna and Angelina, after their two daughters who passed away. “God has answered our prayers
The Lord gives and the Lord takes blessed be the name of the Lord.”