4 minute read
ATRUEGIFT
nounced an auction to raise enough for a new car. The organizers petitioned auction items from local sports teams. When 2011 Dallas Cowboys teammates Terrence Newman and Bradie James heard the story, they bought a car, a new Chevrolet Aveo, and had it delivered.
Grinning, Teresa says she had no idea who the players were, but 15-year-old Samuel was a diehard fan. His dad knew and loved the players too.
“I was shocked and surprised, and really glad to have a car,” Samuel says.
“It was surreal,” Teresa says. “I couldn’t comprehend that someone was just buying us a car. I wanted nothing to do with that other car — in the end I donated it — but I certainly didn’t have the money for a new car. That Aveo, it meant everything. We love it. It will be in our family forever, as long as it’s puttering along.”
ESPN radio and TV personality Tim Cowlishaw publicized the fundraising efforts in his Dallas Morning News column.
“We write a lot about the dumb, and sometimes criminal things NFL players do. The good things deserve a mention too,” he wrote of the Cowboys’ gift.
Friends and strangers alike gave generously, Teresa says.
A local businessman, Kenny Johnson, purchased thousands of dollars worth of auction items — an autographed football, a Marc Jacobs purse, tickets to a Rangers game — and gave them to the Hendricks children.
Sara says she still has the purse. She remembers other kindnesses, too.
“I expected my family to help us, but I was really surprised by all the people we didn’t know helping us,” she says. “Like, someone went to the book fair at school and brought us a whole bunch of books.”
When they returned to their house, after two weeks with Teresa’s mom, the refrigerator and pantry was stocked, the children remember.
“Everyday, food would just show up,” Samuel says.
It’s been four years. Thanks in large part to those fundraising efforts, the Hendricks family kept their home, located just north of Lake Highlands.
They all chip-in to tackle the things Rusty used to handle. Samuel and Matthew mow the lawn, Teresa learned to make the pumpkin pancakes her husband had perfected (not quite as good as his, she admits) and, last December, she climbed a ladder to her roof and strung holiday lights.
“I am proud that we have learned to do things, but I am sad that we have to,” Teresa says.
Late on a Tuesday night — after a day of classes, band and sports — Sara, now 12, is still wearing her cheerleading uniform, and everyone is eating pizza while discussing Halloween plans.
When the conversation turns to Rusty, Teresa tears up, and soon they all are crying. Sara moves from her seat at the kitchen table to her mom’s lap.
They hired therapists, joined support groups and slowly began to accept and adapt to this new life.
“You don’t ever get over it,” says Matthew, 11, the quietest of the children. “You learn to live with what happened. You don’t have to get over it.” car.”
The children are witty — frequently cracking jokes that leave Mom perplexed. “Right over my head,” Teresa will say. Overly mature for their ages, they speak of futures filled with college, careers, adventures and family.
“I am going to get a full ride to TCU, go to Baylor med school, become a dentist, hire Mom as a receptionist,” Sara says. They all laugh.
Teresa believes loss has made her children more sensitive to others’ struggles. Last summer Samuel went with the church on a mission trip to New York City, one of his many ventures in volunteerism.
Teresa works for a mortgage company and recently bought a new car.
Samuel is learning to drive in the Aveo.
“We already call it his car,” Teresa says.
The family Rusty left behind is, most of the time and all things considered, happy and healthy. Teresa is not sure how they got here. It’s a combination of help from others, faith and grit, she supposes.
“Rusty was my partner and friend. I have loved him for so many years, and it has taken me almost five years to simply accept the life I have been given,” she says.
Though she sometimes still feels slighted, she also is filled with gratitude — for her children, for everyone who has supported her and for the gifts her husband gave her.
“He made me a wife and mother and for that I will always be grateful for his life.”
Sunday, December 20, 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 20, 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 20, 6:30 pm
EDCC Chancel Choir & Handbell Choir
EDCC Chancel Choir & Handbell Choir
EDCC Chancel Choir & Handbell Choir
Guest Soloists
Guest Soloists
Guest Soloists
Alfrelynn Roberts, Coretta Smith, Paul Mason, Bobby Tinnion
Guest Choir
Alfrelynn Roberts, Coretta Smith, Paul Mason, Bobby Tinnion
Alfrelynn Roberts, Coretta Smith, Paul Mason, Bobby Tinnion
Guest Choir
Guest Choir
Booker T. Washington High School Treble Choir
Booker T. Washington High School Treble Choir
Booker T. Washington High School Treble Choir
Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
East Dallas Christian Church
East Dallas Christian Church
Daniel Pardo’s From A Land Far Away
Daniel Pardo’s From A Land Far Away
Daniel Pardo’s From A Land Far Away
629 N. Peak Street ♦ Dallas, TX 75246
629 N. Peak Street ♦ Dallas, TX 75246 www.edcc.org www.edcc.org
Concert Series
Concert Series
Free admission and open seating Donations accepted for EDCC Concert Series
Free admission and open seating
TX 75246 www.edcc.org Concert Series
Free admission and open seating Donations accepted for EDCC Concert Series
Donations accepted for EDCC Concert Series
Reception following with Christmas Cookies
Reception following with Christmas Cookies
Reception following with Christmas Cookies
