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Steven Curtis Chapman in first interview since daughter's death

by Josh Kimball, Christian Post
Posted: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 7:45 (BST)
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Award-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman and his family opened their hearts for the first time this week since the loss of their youngest family member in May.

On Wednesday, "Good Morning America" aired an exclusive interview with the Chapmans at their home in Franklin, Tennessee, in which they recounted the day of the tragic accident as well as their path towards healing through faith and hope.

"The girls had been playing on the playground," recalled Chapman's wife, Mary Beth, to GMA's Robin Roberts. She described the May 21 incident that involved their youngest daughter, Maria Sue, and youngest son, Will Franklin, as a "complete accident".

"And ... she (Maria) was, actually excited that he (Will Franklin) was coming home. And he is so great with the girls. They just love him. And she was running to see him and, you know, ran, you know, into the path of the car," she said.

After being struck by the sport utility vehicle in the driveway of the family's Williamson County home, 5-year-old Maria Sue Chapman, the youngest of the six Chapman children and one of three adopted from China, was rushed to a Nashville hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

In the GMA interview, Steven Curtis Chapman was asked to recall the words he spoke to 17-year-old Will Franklin Chapman as he was getting into his car to go to the hospital.

"I really don't remember this," the Grammy winner said. "It was actually Dave - Uncle Dave that told me. He said, 'You rolled the window down and just, very loudly yelled really... with as much strength as you could muster and just said, 'Will Franklin, your father loves you.'

"I just really had a deep concern in my heart that I wouldn't lose two children as a result of this because I knew what Will was struggling with," Chapman explained.

In GMA's interview with Chapman's three oldest children, Will Franklin described how the love and support from his family helped him get through the difficult time, beginning from immediately after the accident.

"I started running after the accident, you know, and started just running away from the house. And I remember Caleb (Will Franklin's brother) was the first one to run and kind of just jump on me and hold me. And then Shaoey (one of the Chapman's adopted daughters) was right there by him.

"To me, you know, that meant a ton," Will Franklin continued. "I didn't really want to be at the house, I just wanted to be away. And I was just freaking out."

What also helped Will Franklin and the rest of the Chapmans through the past couple of months has been their faith.

"[B]ecause of my faith, I know that she's completely whole and completely OK and I'm going to see her again," said an emotional Mary Beth after confessing how much she wants Maria back.

Still, there are difficult times.



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Added: Monday, September 1, 2008, 14:28 (BST)

we also have lost our son
26 years old, 9 months ago tragically. In the beginning stages of our grief one feels like they will never get through it, even with our faith there were days we felt like "we just can't do this" but 9 months have passed and God has been faithful, He has never left us, nor forsaken us as He promised, one even feels like joy will never return, but it does! Our hearts our with all of the Chapman Family and so are our prayers. One day at a time and sometimes moment by moment, one step at a time. We the Moreno Family send you the Chapman Family a Big Big Big Hug. Be encouraged by the word of God, that He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you NEVER! Love the Moreno Family

The Moreno Family, West Covina, California

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