An official blog page has been set up by Jim Houser, Steven’s manager, for all who wish to write messages of support and grief at the loss of 3 year old Maria… Here is the link:
It’s been a sad, sad day here in Nashville as all have received and begun to process the news of her death. The whole city feels like it has been shocked and shaken by such a devastating event. As I’ve prayed and processed it a bit today, my only conclusion is that we must make every day count with the ones we love. Don’t leave an important conversation unsaid, don’t miss a chance to show how much you care for your friends and family. Don’t work so hard that it keeps you away from those who God has places around you as your close community. Life is fragile and we never know what tomorrow will bring. We never know whether we will get another sunrise and sunset with the people our hearts cherish. So, in the words of my favorite saying, “carpe diem” – step out, be brave, make today count… then there will be no need for any regrets.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is ours for the taking : )
The video below is heart breaking to watch but is such a reminder that Steven was an amazing Dad who really did take the time to BE with the ones he loved… He certainly lived a ‘carpe diem’ way with his precious children… I want to be more like him.
Please be praying for the Chapman family, after the tragedy that took place this evening (Wednesday). Here is the write up from the Tennessean. Prayer is a powerful thing, so let’s really lift them up to God and ask for His presence, grace and power to surround them right now.
Love,
Vicky
Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter killed by car in driveway
By KATE HOWARD and LINDA ZETTLER
Staff Writers – The Tennessean
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.
The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.
“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.
No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.
Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.
He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.
With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.
“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.
“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”
The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.
And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.
Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.
“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.
Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.
