{"id":17219,"date":"2025-07-27T11:25:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T16:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/?p=17219"},"modified":"2026-01-31T10:23:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T16:23:39","slug":"two-sisters-modeled-the-art-of-living-well-before-dying-in-texas_floods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/two-sisters-modeled-the-art-of-living-well-before-dying-in-texas_floods\/","title":{"rendered":"Two sisters modeled the art of living well before dying in Texas floods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two sisters, Brooke Harber, 13, and Blair Harber, 11, were swept away in the July Fourth Texas floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rescuers found the girls a day later, with hands clasped together and clutching rosary beads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I love you,” texted Blair in her last words to her father and grandparents at 3:30 AM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RJ Harber, their father, who was staying in a separate cabin, tried a kayak, but he couldn’t get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their school, St. Rita Catholic Community School in Dallas, highlighted how the sisters led vibrant lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did Brooke and Blair leave us clues on how to face tragedy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think they left three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Face anything with strong bonds<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Their clasped hands and rosary beads are indelible images of Brooke and Blair Harber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading more details about the girls uncovers their strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eleven-year-old Brooke participated in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. She had a flair for improv, speech, and drama. Her aunt described her as “someone who never met a stranger and loved everyone she met.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirteen-year-old Blair was a standout student in advanced classes and participated in volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. She was active in the Student Ambassadors, yearbook, and speech and drama programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sisters thrived in communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team players. Team participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSome girls are made of adventure, fine lines, and the strength to step into the unknown.\u201d<\/strong> Nikita Gill<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I think Brooke and Blair’s strength was rooted in faith and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Sisters embraced faith before the floods<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, we are defined by our moments in crisis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don’t know when, where, or how our mettle will be tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why faith, hope, and love embraced early are our best chance against the worst storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sisters were in the loft of their cabin, holding hands and rosary beads, when the flood came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “I love you” texts to their parents and grandparents show a remarkable composure in the face of death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than facing this crisis in fear, panic, or despair, they thoughtfully held on to their family, their faith, and each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did these young sisters demonstrate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They practiced faith, hope, and love just like basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith was just as important as activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their school, family, and everyone speaking on their behalf are marvelling at their faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The journey through death<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1987, I served as a chaplain for at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They never sent me to the hernia ward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was always Oncology, Respiratory, or the Coronary Care Unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first night, I watched two people die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One case had no family or friends present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other had a big crowd. They all looked at me, asking me to lead them in prayer. I’ll never forget that family because their faith took over a dark and dingy hospital room as all of us held hands and entered another world in prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can’t take our money, our hobbies, or anyone with us in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we will take our…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • faith<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • soul<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • mind<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • memories<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    That’s what Brooke and Blair did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May their testimony be far-reaching and their faith influential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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