Posted on 08/16/2005 1:27:04 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
In an incredible act of forgiveness, the Long Island woman whose face was shattered when a 20-pound turkey was thrown through her windshield came face-to-face yesterday with the prankster who did it — and hugged him tightly as they both broke down in sobs.
Minutes earlier, Ryan Cushing, 18, had pleaded guilty to the Nov. 13 nightmare stunt that left Victoria Ruvolo, 44, critically injured. His plea was part of a deal that the big-hearted Ruvolo engineered, sparing the teen a possible 25 years in prison and instead landing the boy only six months in a local jail.
As the lanky teen started to leave the court- room, he hesitantly stepped toward Ruvolo, who was sitting in the second row, and tearfully apologized.
"I'm so sorry for what I did to you," he whispered, weeping. "I'm so happy you're doing well."
His emotional mea culpa prompted Ruvolo to get to her feet and wrap her arms around him, softly assuring him, "It's OK. It's OK."
The two then sobbed, shaking in one another's arms for several minutes, with Ruvolo urging the remorseful teen, "Please just keep on a good path."
When they parted, each was covered in the other's tears.
Prosecutors said Ruvolo persistently urged for mercy. They said the former collections-agency manager from Lake Ronkonkoma didn't want two lives ruined because of the incident.
'snip'
Earlier this month, she told The Post that she was just thankful to be alive.
"I wake up each morning grateful for another chance at life," she said. "I thank God that I get to see another beautiful day, today and every day."
Outside court, Cushing said he, too, is grateful.
"I love that woman," he told reporters. "She's a wonderful person."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
gotta post a nice story once in a while.
For sure.
Her forgiveness has probably changed his life.
This is a good lesson for me - I don't think I could be so big hearted and forgiving....
I sincerely hope so. What a loving forgiving woman.
Yes. Wow.
What an impressive woman, to be kind and forgiving and grateful for her life. How peaceful and serene her life must be. I'm going to try to be more like her.
He certainly sounds sincere.
true forgiveness is a happy-making thing -- we forgive in order to be forgiven.
She's a better woman that I am, too. . .
Well I don't have time for the ping-list but here is a nice story.
What we do is more important than what we say. We have to live with these kinds of values and attitudes. For many people, you are the only Jesus they will ever see. And this young man saw Him here. It can only change him for the better.
Wow!
This was and is a huge story local Long Island where I live.
This woman is a true hero in all of this. Kids do stupid things all the time and he is getting a huge consequence but in addition he is getting true Christian forgiveness from his victim who says, she is going to be keeping an eye on him...
As for the other bunch of motley fools involved in the crimes that night ... they were snitchers took no responsibilty...true losers.
This kid is going to turn out just fine.
He still needed 6 years not 6 months, but if she is satisfied who am I to complain.
The are the teachings of Christ. Wouldn't it be miraculous if criminals began firing their godless lawyers and pleading guilty to their crimes because, uh, well, they ARE guilty. Christians return in kind with this saintly show of compassion. I would suspect that His coming is near on this day.
A woman who takes the Gospel to heart.
Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Big shoes to fill. I don't think I could do it.
"For many people, you are the only Jesus they will ever see."
Oh, thanks a lot. Like I didn't have enough stress and pressure already.
"This kid is going to turn out just fine."
If he can emotionally survive being used as a rectal whore by savages for six months.
It's a national humiliation that this kid will not be protected from truly evil men while in state custody.
Fantastic. The power of forgiveness.
Lets hope the young man can change his course.
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