‘Our lives have been changed in ways I never could have imagined.’

The Rocha family

(Editorial note: The following letter was sent to Beneath the Surface News by Alfredo Rocha Jr. whose mother and brother died when a vehicle crashed into their Stephenville home on March 22.)

I have been trying to find the right words to explain what my family and I are feeling, and I still feel like I fall short.

Since the day my mother and little brother were taken from us, our lives have been changed in ways I never could have imagined. There is a kind of pain that stays with you, something you learn to carry for the rest of your life.

Even in that pain, it has been softened by the way our community has surrounded us with love and care. That love has meant everything to us.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to every single person who has reached out and stayed close to us during this incredibly hard time.

To those who sent messages and lifted us up in prayer, your words have brought comfort in moments when we needed it most. Sometimes it is those simple words that remind us we are not alone, and that has made a difference in ways I cannot fully explain.

To everyone who brought meals and made sure my family was taken care of while we were busy preparing for the funeral, thank you for showing us such genuine kindness.

In moments when everything felt overwhelming, those acts of care reminded us that we were being held up by others. It is something we will never forget.

To those who gave donations and offered to help guide us through not only the loss of my mother and little brother but also the loss of our home, we are deeply grateful.

Your generosity has helped carry us through some of the hardest moments of our lives.

To everyone who came to visit, who brought flowers and who simply showed up, your presence has been a gift. Just being there with us has meant more than words could ever say.

Grief is not something that can be fixed with words. It is something you sit with. It is something you feel, something you share and something you learn to carry over time.

The fact that so many of you were willing to sit with us through the tears, through the silence, and through the memories has been a true blessing. You did not try to take the pain away, but you helped us not feel alone in it.

I also want to recognize those who have continued to check in and offer support. That ongoing love and care means so much to us. It reminds us that even as time passes, we are still surrounded by people who truly care.

With all of my heart, thank you.

Thank you for the compassion, the prayers, the meals, the donations, the visits, and every single act of kindness you have shown our family.

Your love has given us the strength to take life one day at a time. It will continue to be a source of comfort as we remember and honor my mother and my little brother.

We pray that God blesses each of you in return for the love and mercy you have shown us. I truly believe that the kindness you have given will come back to you in ways greater than you can imagine.

We will carry your love with us as we move forward, one day at a time.

In loving memory of Barbara and Aron Rocha. Your love will always be a part of who we are, and you will never be forgotten.

With our deepest thanks and gratitude,

Alfredo Rocha Jr and family