Each day when Leila Abdallah wakes up, she feels grateful for her children, husband and family.
But her grief never goes away.
On February 1, 2020, seven children were walking and riding their bikes on the footpath to buy ice-cream in Oatlands, Sydney, when a reckless driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol crashed into them.
Despite the tragic loss of her three beautiful children, Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, eight, as well as her niece Veronique Sakr, 11, Leila was able to forgive the driver.
She says it was her Christian upbringing that taught her the importance of forgiving in times of despair and allowed her to forgive Samuel Davidson, who was travelling at 133 km/h in a 50km/h zone before the accident occurred.
In the moment, it came to Leila instinctively, and it's an act she says has given her a sense of freedom.
"Sometimes things happen to remind you how precious life is and how easily it can be taken," she tells Woman's Day from her home. "Let's live our days with peace and love and with forgiveness." Leila, 38, a mother and housewife, wants to spread this powerful message across the world.
"Forgiveness has allowed me to focus not only on my own pain but also on others who are grieving," she says.
HELPING MY KIDS HEAL
Leila reveals that it is through this act that all three families involved in the tragedy were able to stick together despite their grief and pain.
この記事は Woman's Day Australia の February 06, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Woman's Day Australia の February 06, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment
Rolling the DICE
Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!