« One of a Hundred - page 94 - Job’s Story part 3 | Main | Because You Demanded It »
Steven Curtis Chapman’s Daughter, Maria, Died Wednesday
By Julie | May 23, 2008
Sometimes I find myself rushing my kids along so I can have time to get things done. Then I remember the Steven Curtis Chapman interview (above) and I try to remember I only get so much time with my boys. I want to treasure it more while I’m living it.
The past few months I have heard many people call in to radio stations to request Chapman’s song “Cinderella.” Usually a dad says the song reminds him of his daughter. One day the daddy explained he had first heard the song the day an ultrasound determined his wife was having his little girl. “Cinderella” has certainly spoken to a lot of fathers.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest daughter, one of the Cinderellas that inspired his song, died on Wednesday after being accidentally hit by an SUV her brother was driving. Here’s the news release taken from Chapman’s official website:
NASHVILLE, TN…5/21/08… At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
After adopting one daughter, the Chapman’s adopted 2 more girls, and founded Shaohannah’s Hope. The organization’s mission:
We are dedicated to helping prospective adoptive parents overcome the financial barriers associated with adoption. We accomplish this by awarding financial grants to qualified families already in the process of adopting.
The Chapmans are asking that flowers or gifts be given to “Maria’s Miracle fund” in her memory through Shaohannah’s Hope. The site has a memory page for their little girl explaining more about her accident, and showing a video of her washing dishes with her dad.
A blog I read mentioned even though the author had never met Steven Curtis Chapman, it felt like this nightmare had happened to a friend of his. I feel the same. Chapman’s music has been a part of my life for nearly 20 years. His songs carry messages that have frequently helped me in difficult times, as if he was a friend calling me up (through the radio) to let me know everything was going to be ok because… and then his lyrics filled in the blanks.
Now the lyrics to his Cinderella sing eerily in light of Maria’s death…
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone …
No one ever expects their Cinderella, (or He-man in my case, since I have sons) to be taken at the age of 5. The Chapmans, who touched and inspired so many people, need prayer right now. Please pray for God’s comfort, strength, and healing in their lives, especially for their son. I can’t begin to imagine how much this must hurt. But God knows, and in midst of all their suffering he still has a plan. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like hell. Please remember this family in your prayers. And remember to give a hug and kiss to your Cinderellas and He-men, because we never know when the clock will strike midnight.
Topics: In the News, Life and Living, Pray for |
