A family’s expression of gratitude to all

To all our loving family and friends,

On March 19, 2005, our son Robert Camacho Hilario Jr. was involved in a horrible car accident with his beloved cousin and best buddy, Cory Spencer Luis Camacho, son of Edmund Mendiola and June Gonzalez Camacho and our beloved godson, who, unfortunately, did not survive the accident.

The accident has brought our son multiple injuries: fractured rib, punctured lung, dislocated hip, broken femur (leg), broken knee ligament, fractured ankle, head and neck injuries, and bereavement. Our son was in critical condition for a while, was on ventilation, and was comatose. After the accident, Robert was rushed to surgery to place his shattered hips back into its socket. Another surgery was performed to place rods and screws to fix his broken bones. Our whole world was upside down for six consecutive days, not knowing if our son will survive. There was only our beloved Cory’s family around, (our brother Ed) who were grieving at the time, and were not able to give us support in person, for they, too, were trying desperately to face the loss of their son. Thus, his family was alone with no other family member in reach to help us face our troubles, being so far away from home.

The Camacho-Hilario family would like to express our most sincere thank you—Sen Dangkulo na Si Yu’us Ma’ase—for your prayers, your compassion, your support during these very difficult moments.

For all you beautiful people:

For those of you who have showed up at the Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Unit and operating room during those days of hardship, we thank you for coming because, by your presence, it reminded us that we ourselves must ensure we keep alive. By your presence, our strength was renewed and our hope was widened just when it was at the verge of crumbling. We thank you for helping us remain strong, especially for our son as he desperately hung on to life. Our son felt your presence during critical times as he asked (in scribbles) for a list of visitors whenever he was conscious.

For those who have left messages, we thank you, for those messages were replayed repetitiously each time we were frantic. Your messages were the instrument in reminding us that someone out there, too, share our difficult moments. Indeed, listening to your words of compassion has soothed our broken hearts.

For those who have offered Mass on Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Rota, the Philippines, Japan, and throughout many states, may the Lord bless you and your family for offering the highest form of prayer to help our son face the challenge of survival—six days in critical condition and another six days in serious condition. We kindly ask for your continued prayers as he face healing stages in learning how to walk and move about and, most importantly, in regaining his life again.

For those who have given flowers, we thank you, for Robert said that he loved the flowers most because they taught him to stay abloom and reminded him that he can survive! The colors he saw in those flowers reminded him that life is beautiful and have motivated him to hang tight and live.

For those who have given cards, we thank you. Robert held them so precious as we displayed them throughout the hospital wall. When one card fell, Robert would be in tears because mommy/daddy did not place it back up on the wall fast enough. These wonderful messages of love have shown our son overwhelming love and compassion from family and friends and even from strangers throughout. Many students from different schools have written and drawn artwork and sent them to Robert. Robert read all of them and felt very special for someone to spend so much time crafting those messages.

For those who have given gifts, from plants to video games to t-shirts, not to mention very expensive gifts, we thank you, for we have been so overwhelmed to see that Robert so deserve your thoughtfulness in giving those items to assist him in dealing with immobility.

For Bishop Camacho, we thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The U.C. Davis Medical Center doctors have written many comments on Robert’s chart about how you and other family have contacted the hospital urging for the best care possible. We are honored.

For wonderful Sr. Hana, Sr. Dorothea, St. John the Evangelist Church, St. Vincent de Paul members, and the outpouring of the Carmichael and other Californian and other states’ community, we thank you for sharing yourselves to people whom you do not know but have come to show compassion.

For those who have given monetary support, we thank you, the $520 received will be applied to hospitalization, surgeries, physical and psychological therapies, comprising over $300,000. And because many friends and relatives request for a way to extend further assistance, a Bank of Guam account is made available for donations under Robert/Lucille Hilario Savings Account #0203-611434, for CNMI residents. For Stateside residents, a Wells-Fargo Account is available at Lucille Hilario’s Account # 589-0772220 or you may write to The Hilarios, 4600 Jan Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608 or email chill11@hotmail.com or hilarious@glide.net or happyhilarios@yahoo.com

It is because of you all, that we have made it through the worst time of our lives, the dreadful phone call. Indeed we have been strengthened to live each day strong as our son strives to physically and mentally recuperate. We are definitely overwhelmed to have received your love, your time, and your thoughtfulness.

We kindly ask for your continued prayers as Robert Jr. continues his journey to full healing. We also kindly ask to keep our brother Ed and his family in your prayers as they desperately face the loss of their beloved son, Cory.

A message from Robert Jr.: “Family is the most important thing ever, for they will always be there for your and thank you to everyone who prayed for me. Always wear seatbelts and listen to Tupac. Life’s too short; live each day to the fullest.”

Sen Dangkulo na agradesimento para todos hamyo na man guaiyayon na familia yan man guaiyayon na amigon mami. Memorias yan minagof para todos. Si Yu’us Ma’ase.

Robert and Lucille Camacho-Hilario and family
Carmichael, California