Business of Life

A Moment of Grace

Five teenagers stole a credit card, used it to buy DVDs and video games, a turkey and other groceries.  One boy, a college freshman, threw the turkey from the backseat of a moving car.

Victoria Ruvolo didn't know what happened when a frozen turkey came crashing through her windshield.  Every bone on her face was shattered requiring five weeks in a hospital and many surgeries.

Ryan Cushing, 19, faced 25 years in prison when he walked into the Long Island courtroom for sentencing.

Then, a moment of grace, what the New York Times called "something startling and luminous"

Victoria Ruvolo met Ryan Cushing for the first time.  He said he was sorry and begged her to forgive him.    Victoria did.   

She cradled his head as he sobbed. She stroked his face and patted his back. "It's O.K.; it's O.K.," she said. "I just want you to make your life the best it can be."

The prosecutor denounced the crime as heedless and brutal, but at Ms Ruvolo's insistence, they gave him a plea bargain: six months in jail and five years' probation.

Given the opportunity for retribution, Ms. Ruvolo gave and got something better: the dissipation of anger and the restoration of hope, in a gesture as cleansing as the tears washing down her damaged face, and the face of the foolish, miserable boy whose life she single-handedly restored.

William Keahon, the defendant's lawyer, said,

This woman's spirituality must be incredible to have this forgiveness. I've never seen this in 32 years of practicing law.

Every day we make a difference in the way we live and deal with other people.    Victoria Ruvulo restored her life, Ryan's life, and immeasurably affected for the better the lives of everyone in that courtroom and everyone who reads her story and who can understand the power of forgiveness.