Hello, quilty friends,
Yesterday morning, a high school senior in a town not far from us lost control of his car on the way to school, hit two trees, and died. 18 years old, very popular, athletic, just a really good kid. The principal said he was the kind of student everyone loved to have at school. RHAM senior killed in crash near school - WFSB 3 Connecticut
He was also my niece's dearest friend (not her boyfriend; this was very much a platonic relationship). My niece is also very close to my 17-yr-old DD#10, who spent a bit of time on the phone with her cousin last night. Lots of tears, as you can imagine. My heart breaks for this young man's family (whom I have never met), for my niece, who was basically inconsolable last evening, and for my DD, who feels her cousin's pain very deeply. I can't even imagine the pain this young man's parents are in.
So, is there anything to be thankful for? I believe that there is. Not the kind of jump-up-and-down, gleeful thankful; and certainly not the oh-it'll-be-okay-just-look-on-the-bright-side kind of thankful; just the quiet, sober sort. I am not a "Pollyanna;" but I really truly believe that remaining thankful in the face of tragedy is necessary for me right now. So here goes:
I am thankful that this young man did not suffer. He died very soon after the accident; the school bus driver and another passer-by who saw the accident administered CPR until help arrived, but he was pronounced dead right after reaching the hospital.
Also, this happened at 9:30 in the morning; his parents do not have to wonder whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
I am thankful that this small community has some wonderful, caring families who will rally around and support this boy's family. I am friends with two of the high school teachers there, and I know that in spite of their own grief at the loss of a student, they will be there for the other youngsters to offer consolation and understanding.
I am thankful that my DD#10 is so compassionate; and that she and her cousin were able to reach out to one another. Jess really needed to talk to someone her own age, who not only knows her well and understands what this young man meant to her, but at the same time is not someone from school who is taking this hard personally.
And I'm thankful for my quilty friends, who are so kind and thoughtful. I know that most of you have already begun to pray for Garrett's family before you even finished reading this post. May God bless you all richly.
~ Sally \0/
Yesterday morning, a high school senior in a town not far from us lost control of his car on the way to school, hit two trees, and died. 18 years old, very popular, athletic, just a really good kid. The principal said he was the kind of student everyone loved to have at school. RHAM senior killed in crash near school - WFSB 3 Connecticut
He was also my niece's dearest friend (not her boyfriend; this was very much a platonic relationship). My niece is also very close to my 17-yr-old DD#10, who spent a bit of time on the phone with her cousin last night. Lots of tears, as you can imagine. My heart breaks for this young man's family (whom I have never met), for my niece, who was basically inconsolable last evening, and for my DD, who feels her cousin's pain very deeply. I can't even imagine the pain this young man's parents are in.
So, is there anything to be thankful for? I believe that there is. Not the kind of jump-up-and-down, gleeful thankful; and certainly not the oh-it'll-be-okay-just-look-on-the-bright-side kind of thankful; just the quiet, sober sort. I am not a "Pollyanna;" but I really truly believe that remaining thankful in the face of tragedy is necessary for me right now. So here goes:
I am thankful that this young man did not suffer. He died very soon after the accident; the school bus driver and another passer-by who saw the accident administered CPR until help arrived, but he was pronounced dead right after reaching the hospital.
Also, this happened at 9:30 in the morning; his parents do not have to wonder whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
I am thankful that this small community has some wonderful, caring families who will rally around and support this boy's family. I am friends with two of the high school teachers there, and I know that in spite of their own grief at the loss of a student, they will be there for the other youngsters to offer consolation and understanding.
I am thankful that my DD#10 is so compassionate; and that she and her cousin were able to reach out to one another. Jess really needed to talk to someone her own age, who not only knows her well and understands what this young man meant to her, but at the same time is not someone from school who is taking this hard personally.
And I'm thankful for my quilty friends, who are so kind and thoughtful. I know that most of you have already begun to pray for Garrett's family before you even finished reading this post. May God bless you all richly.
~ Sally \0/
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