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Robby was changing the channel on the radio when he came to the intersection. He was on his way home from a long day at work and he was tired. The music was keeping him awake.

Robby didn't see the stop sign. He didn't see the car coming into his path. He only heard a terrible crash as his van hit the small car. There was a loud boom and the car exploded in flames. The driver had no hope even to realize what had killed him on that lonely country highway. Robby jumped out of his van in terror, not knowing what to do. He wished beyond anything that this was all a dream.

The following days were a nightmare: he was charged with reckless driving and failure to yield at a stop sign. He was going to trial for vehicular manslaughter. At the tender age of 21, Robby was finding out that in this case, he was guilty until proven innocent.

The trial was swift and the sentence was considered lenient: ten years in the penitentiary and 120,000 dollars in restitution for the family of the man who died. But Robby felt it wasn't strong enough. He would have given anything to trade places with the man. Robby was only 21; the man 53. Robby didn't have a girlfriend; the man had a wife, three children, and two grandchildren. Robby was just beginning his career; the man was due for early retirement in two years.

Robby suffered from depression and attended classes in prison. He learned woodworking skills and became recognized for his quick wit and fine detail. Soon he was in a rehabilitation home, helping mentor woodworking students at the high school. He told his story wherever he went, warning young drivers to stay alert, to drive defensively.

When Robby had been in prison seven years, he was released. He had saved his money and his family was waiting with open arms. He would stay with them until he got on his feet. He would purchase equipment and do woodworking. At the age of 28, Robby was starting his life.

Robby fell in love and soon made enough to buy a two-bedroom condominium with a huge garage. He worked out of his home while his wife worked at the library.

One quiet summer day when Robby was turning wood in his garage he felt an overwhelming sadness at the events of that fateful day. Why hadn't he been paying attention? Why didn't he slow down? He knew the intersection was coming up. Why did that have to happen? Robby put down his instruments and cried. Tears ran down his face until he was drenched.

For seven years he had regretted what had happened and had felt guilty about the tragedy of it all. He had talked to the prison chaplain and the counselor numerous times. But this day was different. Robby felt a sadness so intense it engulfed him, consuming him with a grief that he could almost feel. It was as if a heavy weight was on his chest.

Robby sobbed. He cried out loud and found no relief. He looked around at his modest, but nice home. He was getting his life back together. He felt proud that he had come this far. But he felt enormous guilt at taking another man's life. He fell to his knees and grabbed his knife.

He would end it all. He would take this pain from his heart and never have to deal with it again. He pointed the knife to his heart.

"Oh, God, help me. Why did I kill that man? How can I ever undo what I did? Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God!" Robby dropped the knife as he cried out in utter anguish.

He cried for several hours until all his energy was gone. He remembers feeling cold and hungry. And he remembers the instant when he felt warm. He prayed that God would deliver him from this anguish and suddenly he felt a warmth pour over him, like a dip in a warm tub. Robby asked for forgiveness from the bottom of his heart. He asked God to be with him.

It took several days to admit what happened to his new wife, but she was understanding. "God forgives you, you know that. What you need to do now is ask forgiveness of Mrs. Johanesson." Terror once again gripped Robby but he knew that Marcia was right. He needed to make amends with the man's widow.

Two months later, Mrs. Johanesson and Robby met at a coffee shop. Robby brought flowers and told her they could never replace her husband, but he felt he had to give her something tangible. He poured out his heart to her as he shared the painful memory of prison, the hours of learning woodworking in the prison wood shops, and the joy of seeing the wood come alive. He shared what happened in his garage and how he felt touched by God. He knew he was forgiven by God. Now, he needed to beg Mrs. Johanesson for her forgiveness.

"You couldn't have known this was going to happen, Robby. Still, I hated you. I wanted you to get the death sentence, and I prayed that you would get some awful disease in prison. My anger toward you consumed me until our third grandchild was born. My daughter said I couldn't come to visit until I had figured out if I was going to be a bitter old woman or an understanding Christian. She didn't want me to influence our grandchild in the state I was in. I was a mess. I was bitter, I was angry, I was cynical. I had to make up my mind."

Mrs. Johanesson took Robby's hand. "I hated you so much, there was nothing more to love. One day I asked God to take your life, and suddenly, in the middle of that prayer, I felt I couldn't breathe. I knew right then that if I didn't get over this hatred, it would kill me. It took almost three years, Robby, but I forgave you one night. My death wish for you suddenly turned into a life wish for you. Why did we need two men to die from this tragedy? I was in the pits of despair, but I came out of it after much prayer and therapy. I can honestly tell you that I have forgiven you, Robby. I miss my husband very much, but I wish you only a long and successful life."

"My therapist told me to write you a letter, Robby, and that letter was forwarded to your parole board. They told me about all your public speaking and the mentoring you did at the school woodshop. I felt proud of you in a way. You were released three weeks after that." They hugged and cried as they realized what had happened.

Robby felt drained. How could he ever repay her? He had been assured forgiveness by God and it had been so important to receive forgiveness from Mrs. Johanesson. He felt a tremendous freedom and a deep joy as he left the restaurant.

He was truly forgiven!