UCHealth - Walking Thru Fire: A story of a father’s steadfast love

Engulfed in flames from his head to his ankles, Gabriel Vigil heard a voice. It may have been his own voice, or the voice of another, he’s still not sure. As titanium from the rims of glasses melted onto his face, the hard-working electrician, husband and father found himself at death’s doorstep.

At the moment, for reasons he’ll never be able to explain, Gabriel could not feel pain. Time stopped. He heard the voice: “If you’re going to live, I’m going to let you live, but you’re going to have to fight. But if you want to give up, and you want to die, I will take you right now.’’

Gabriel did not see a white light or a vision of his loved ones who had gone before him, though his life flashed before him, like a time-lapse movie. Wendy. The kids. Motocross racing. Disneyland. Christmas morning around the fireplace with the stockings hung, the kids’ names scrawled in glitter: Jordin, Dominic, Alex and Matthew.