Today, Reba McEntire is 68 years old, and she truly deserves all the praise she gets. It feels like she has been part of my life forever, and I still listen to her music several times a week.
However, Reba’s life hasn’t always been easy. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of a tragic plane crash that took the lives of several of her friends.
After breaking into country music in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Reba McEntire was named “best singer” for four years in a row by the Country Music Association. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But despite her amazing career and success, Reba has faced many personal challenges. In 2022, her mother, Jacqueline, lost her battle with cancer at the age of 93.
“She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle, but we’re giving God all the credit for choosing the time for her to go home,” the country star wrote on social media.
Jacqueline McEntire always dreamed of being a professional country singer, and she was the one who taught Reba to sing, fulfilling her ambitions through her daughter.
“She left knowing how much she is loved, and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her, but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said.
Reba truly understands what it means to face sorrow and loss.
Thirty-two years ago, on March 16, Reba McEntire lost seven of her band members and her tour manager in a tragic plane crash after a concert.
I remember that day in 1991. I was driving to work and heard about the crash on the radio. My heart skipped a beat when I thought Reba was also on the plane.
But she wasn’t.
Reba and her band had performed in San Diego on March 16, 1991, and were heading to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their next concert on the tour.
Two planes were waiting at the airport in San Diego. The band members and tour manager flew on ahead while Reba, her husband, and her manager stayed overnight in San Diego.
The first plane tragically crashed just ten miles east of the airport.
Over the years, Reba has often remembered her lost friends.
In a heartfelt interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, she talked about the day her band died.
“The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” McEntire told Winfrey.
“When we were notified, Narvel (Reba’s manager) went to meet with our pilot, and he told us what had happened. Narvel came back to the hotel room where I was — it was two or three o’clock in the morning — and he said one of the planes had crashed. I asked, ‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I asked, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
Reba had tears in her eyes as she remembered the details of the tragedy.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling…” she began, pausing as tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry — it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she said. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
Now, 32 years have passed since the crash. Recently, she shared a photo of her band on Instagram to remember the tragic events of that day.
In 2020, she also paid tribute to her friends.
“29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash. The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate,” she wrote.
“I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other. Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”
Reba’s fans quickly offered their support to the country star. Many sent positive thoughts and prayers.
“Reba, I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother,” one fan wrote.
In 2023, Reba showed once again that she will never forget her friends and still mourns their tragic loss.
“Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on,” she wrote, sharing a video of the group performing together.
A Man Sacrificed Everything to Care for His Wife, Who Has Been in a Vegetative State for Years
When people marry, they promise to love each other in sickness and in health. On their wedding day, no one think about illness, but some couples are tested by life’s challenges. Bruna and her husband David have been going through this trial for several years, inspiring admiration from those around them.
The story of this couple became viral and touched the hearts of people all over the world. David takes care of his wife, who has been in a vegetative state for several years. They were both under 30 when the tragedy occurred, but David remains optimistic and sacrifices everything for the woman he adores so much. Due to frequent absences, he lost his job and was left without money needed for Bruna’s recovery. That’s why he has an Instagram page and hopes for donations.
It was 2019. David César and Bruna de Sousa were watching TV on a normal day when, suddenly, Bruna started having convulsions due to cardiorespiratory arrest. In an interview, David recalled, “In a matter of three minutes, she lost all vital signs. We rushed to the hospital, and after 25 minutes, they managed to resuscitate her, but she had been without oxygen for a long time.”
According to David’s account, Bruna suffered from a disorder that does not affect the basic functions of the nervous system but does prevent her from perceiving her surroundings. In other words, his wife was left with permanent sequelae and in a vegetative state.
Bruna was hospitalized for almost two years, and since June 2019, David has devoted all his time to taking care of her in his own home. However, being unemployed, he could not meet all the needs of his partner. And yes, although she is at home, she needs the help of specialists, medications, food, and other things.
The truth is that what David was earning as a driver was not enough to cover his wife’s needs. For this reason, he was forced to start raising funds.
Although many charitable souls took pity on them, Bruna’s expenses kept increasing. David himself acknowledged this at the time: “We haven’t managed to get her retirement yet. But two volunteer lawyers are helping us. We are living on donations.”
Fortunately, after going through so many difficult moments, there was still hope. David learned of treatment in Canada thanks to the information provided by the neurologists. If he could get access to it, Bruna would have to take the medication for three years and combine it with physiotherapy. However, the cost of this option was around $20,000, so the couple had to resort again to raising funds through donations.
The young man started to raise money and collected 28,000 dollars, however, Bruna’s monthly costs are still very high, and she needs even more money. We hope that these funds will improve Bruna’s condition.
More than five years have passed since the pivotal moment when life took a different turn for Bruna and David. Through his Instagram profile, the young man shared memories of their relationship. Moreover, he diligently keeps his followers informed about the progress of his beloved wife.
This story inspires people around the world. Many users show their support for the couple, wishing Bruna a recovery and sending David strength and patience. Moreover, such unwavering devotion is regarded as true pure love. One of them wrote: “I believe in this love, and this made me cry and motivated”.
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