Dear Cypress

Photo Credit: Tanya Saenz

Thank you. I wish there were a bigger phrase to express my gratitude to this community. For the readers who aren’t familiar with me, I’m a nineteen year old graduate from Cypress Ranch. I was the president of National Honor Society, National English Honors Society, and the Social Chair for our Theatre Leadership Council. I love writing and am so proud of the Scholastic International Medal I had been fortunate enough to earn with the help of my amazing English teachers. I love traveling, Willie Nelson, and hanging out with friends. The night of June 1, 2020, I was grabbing dinner with a few of them to finish planning our graduation party. I took Mound Rd. home from the Towne Lake Boardwalk and had parked my car to allegedly pick up some litter in the road

(guilty tree hugger tendencies). Unfortunately, I was then struck by another car. One of my neighbors witnessed the entire accident and removed me from the oncoming traffic. Because Cypress is stationed between two police zones, we had countless first responders quickly there to help. I was then Life Flighted to the Med Center and followed by my parents. All in all, I shuffled between three hospitalizations suffering critical ligament and bone damage in both legs, a wrist break, and a traumatic brain injury. I returned home on July 2 and started the next chapter of recovery. I have now completed my four surgeries and look forward to marking a full recovery the first week of November! Life after this journey is hopefully taking me to a spring semester at UT-San Antonio, and a sophomore year at UTAustin. My best friend was updating a Facebook page to share my conditions as I recovered, and we were shocked to find that more than three thousand people followed. I am still so surprised by the heart that everyone has. My faith has kept my spirits lifted throughout this endeavor, and all of the love from my community has most definitely contributed, as well. I’ve learned how profound the principle of kindness is-- it truly saved my life by taking me off of that road on June 1. The extension of selfless kindness from all directions is inexplicably astounding. I’ve received such loving messages, letters, gifts, and even a signed Willie Nelson guitar! I never before knew the extent of goodness in this community’s heart. I hope all those reading would see just how vastly loved and cared for they are here in Cypress. We have incredible neighbors, and it doesn’t take being hit by a car to feel their support. Wishing a return of your outpouring love, generosity, and support. - Lauren Koops