It was a gorgeous reminder of life — within the depths of devastation.
An ultrasound photograph swept away within the horrific Texas flooding was dutifully returned to a Kerrville mother of two by volunteers who drove three hours to personally ship it, The Publish has realized.
Lacy Frondorf, 40, thought the candy framed photograph of her daughter, Willow, in utero was misplaced eternally when their storage, the place it was housed, washed away within the early hours of July 4.
“She’s an incredible child. Strong, beautiful, smart, sweet,” Frondorf informed The Publish Wednesday referring to her now 9-year-old daughter, “and so to have that, you know, I broke down in the kitchen last night, cleaning it off and I’m just overwhelmed with so many emotions.”
“When you’re in a house trying to figure out what’s important, that was interesting, because you don’t grab pictures … you grab things that are in front of your face or things that you have maybe stored away, documents, but you don’t grab pictures,” Frondorf stated.
The muddied photograph — which Frondorf had not had digitized — was discovered about 10 miles away, in Middle Level, by Roger Flores, 22, who was volunteering along with his mom, Marlena, to help in cleanup efforts.
“Me, being a mother, I know it meant something to her,” stated Marlena, with the Berclair Volunteer Hearth Division. “I was like, I have to go above and beyond to find her,” Flores stated.
Marlena posted a photograph of the ultrasound pic to a Fb group devoted to Kerrville victims, asking for assist and noting the identify on it — which was minimize off as “Lacy Ndorf.”
“Please if anyone knows her let her know we have and we will travel back to give it to her!!” the publish stated.
An eagle-eyed Fb person alerted Marlena, 42, of the photograph’s rightful proprietor — and the 2 rapidly acquired in contact to rearrange for Roger and his sister to drive three hours from Berclair, the place varied recovered flood gadgets had been being housed, to Kerrville.
Frondorf, a registered nurse who additionally has an 11-year-old son, informed Marlena that they misplaced their “baby memories” within the floods.
“When someone finds an ultrasound picture, I think it gives you just a glimpse of hope, and peace, and love,” Frondorf stated. “It gives you a little bit more to keep going and keep fighting.”
The historic flooding in Texas Hill Nation within the early hours of the Fourth of July left 134 individuals lifeless, together with 107 in Kerr County alone. Dozens extra are nonetheless lacking.
Frondorf stated 12 our bodies had been discovered on her property, which abuts the Guadalupe River. Her home, fortunately, was spared from flooding because it sits on increased floor however their automobile and storage had been washed away. The mother despatched Willow — who spends her days fishing and swimming within the river — to stay along with her grandparents till restoration efforts subside.
“We’ve found multiple deceased people on our property, and it’s very difficult to find those things,” Frondorf stated, describing her dwelling as a “war zone.”
Flores has additionally been emotional whereas digging by way of the wreckage. She’s spent her weekends along with her household, driving to areas close to Kerrville and brushing by way of the destruction whereas combating again tears.
Observe The Publish’s protection on the lethal Texas flooding
“We’ve found lifejackets, baby life jackets. That was very emotional, I had to cry, because a baby probably had that on and didn’t survive, and we found it miles away,” Flores stated.
The Frondorfs believed their beloved 500-pound pig, Mohawk, was additionally killed within the flooding as a result of his pen was underwater.
“We love this sweet pig, we’ve had him for three years. He’s a rescue pig, and we were devastated immediately because he was underwater when we drove by,” Frondorf stated.
In order that they had been amazed after they discovered Mohawk strolling on the facet of the highway hours after they evacuated.
“Apparently pigs swim very well, so he made it,” Frondorf stated.
For Frondorf, the energy of the Texas neighborhood is what retains her going, and she or he’s grateful for the selfless volunteers.
“People have been so awesome, search and rescue volunteers giving their time and their sweat, and that’s how that ultrasound picture was recovered,” Frondorf stated.
Flores stated she gained’t cease till the work is finished.
“If it were to happen to us, in our part of Texas where we live, I’m sure they would pick up and come help us,” Flores stated.
“That’s how Texas rolls. When one hurts, we all hurt in Texas.”
