It was Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008, and Officer David Guajardo was the only Police officer on duty for the City of Cuero. He was making his usual rounds, eagerly anticipating lunch time so he could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. It was a typical quiet day despite it being a Holiday. The streets were calm, and the town seemed to be taking a collective breath, everything pointed to a tranquil holiday.
Just as David settled in to take his first bite of Thanksgiving dinner, the tranquility was shattered by a call that would change everything for the family of Elosia Mejia and her son Jacob Mejia. A serious crash had been reported, and the urgency in the dispatcher’s voice left no room for delay. With his heart racing, Officer Guajardo sprang into action, leaving his untouched meal behind. He bolted out the door, his mind now singularly focused on the unknown scene awaiting him.
He had seen his fair share of wreckage when he worked with EMS in Dallas-Fort Worth. From the fender benders to the pileups and serious car wrecks. As he approached the carnage in front of him, he knew immediately it was one of the most serious accidents he had ever encountered.
The wreckage of Jacob Mejia’s car lay twisted and mangled, a stark reflection of the sheer force and brutality of the crash. The sight of the crumpled metal and the eerie stillness of the crushed body concerned him, his hand already on his radio calling for the Jaws of Life and assistance from the fire department. Drawing nearer, he could hear the young man’s labored breaths, feeling relieved that he was still alive, yet aware that he was in a life-or-death situation where every second counted.
Eloisa answered her phone, and it was her ex-husband, but his words seemed incomprehensible. It felt like a surreal nightmare—a tragedy you hear about happening to someone else, yet it was happening to her, her son, and her family. Her 19-year-old son, Jacob, had been in Cuero, rushing to his grandfather’s house to celebrate Thanksgiving. Eloisa’s ex-husband explained that Jacob had been in a severe car accident and was being airlifted to Corpus Christi’s Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital.
Jacob Mejia suffered a traumatic brain injury a fractured pelvis on both sides, a punctured lung, and a collapsed lung, loss of vision in his right eye and numerous fractures throughout his body. When he arrived at the hospital doctors wanted to perform a craniotomy, but his blood pressure was too low. He went into surgery the following day to repair the fractures on the right side of his face which included his skull, cheek bones, forehead and eye. After 3 hours of surgery, Jacob slipped into a coma.
This harrowing event would set off a series of profound changes in Eloisa Mejia’s life, leading her on a path she could have never imagined. From the depths of tragedy and despair, a new purpose would emerge, transforming her journey in ways she had never foreseen.
As she sat by her comatose son, praying and sometimes speaking to him, she found solace in word search puzzles. Initially buying one, she soon purchased every puzzle book the hospital gift shop had to offer. They became her refuge, a distraction from the torment of her situation. She took comfort in the hope of his awakening or in the simple act of solving her word puzzles.
Eloisa sat by his bed waiting for Jacob to wake up. The seconds turned into minutes, the minutes into hours, the hours into days and the days into weeks. She had worked on dozens upon dozens of word puzzles. Then after ten days Jacob opened his eyes. Jacob’s traumatic brain injury resulted in post-traumatic amnesia, which makes it difficult for him to recall certain traumatic events or even some memories.
Jacob’s recovery required months of physical therapy, and while he was having therapy. Eloisa was working on her word puzzles. Eloisa said her family got through the ordeal by living by the phrase “Prayer is Power.”
During the months in the hospital, Eloisa found solace in word puzzle books from the hospital gift shop. These puzzles provided a much-needed distraction and a way to stay mentally occupied while Jacob healed. She began to think about creating puzzle books with biblical phrases and verses to help others find peace and strengthen their faith.
Inspired by her experience, Eloisa decided to publish her first puzzle book. To her surprise, it was well-received, and people began requesting more. She continued to create and publish books, each filled with different Bible verses, while also caring for her son and working full-time.

Jacob had made significant strides in his recovery. Though he would never fully return to his previous self as a result of the brain injury, he was able to enjoy life again, going fishing with his brother and spending time with family.
Eloisa’s puzzle books have gained in popularity and are being used as learning tools in several Catholic schools. She received her licensing agreement with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to apply the same puzzle format for the Catholic Lectionary for Mass Books.
As this Thanksgiving marks 16 years since that tragic accident, Eloisa’s faith in God has only grown stronger. Eloisa has published 20 puzzle books and continues to create more, driven by her passion for providing comfort and inspiration to others. Although she was offered a substantial sum for the rights to her books, she refused, choosing instead to focus on helping those in need. Excitingly, she is set to release a new book just in time for Christmas titled “Guided by Grace Bible Word Search Puzzle Book: Prayers and Scriptures for Daily Inspiration, Catholic Saints Edition.” This latest addition promises to be another beacon of hope and faith for her readers.

Eloisa Mejia’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of inspiration and strength for others. Her journey reminds us all of the importance of gratitude, prayer, and the unwavering belief in the power of faith to guide us through even the darkest of times. As she prepares to retire and focus on her passion for creating more puzzle books, Eloisa remains thankful for every blessing, every challenge, and the enduring love of her family.
Amazon.com: Ms. Elie Corpus Mejia: books, biography, latest update

Heartwarming story