Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Focus on Gratitude

by Leigh

Hugging these two even tighter today

I had a post planned for today that was happy and upbeat.  I was going to talk about inspiration and shooting with wild abandon.  But then….I was given horrible news after dropping my children off at school this morning. A little five year old boy, at a nearby school where lots of our friends attend, was getting out of his car to begin his day at school when he went the wrong way.  He darted out in front of his car and his dad unknowingly hit him.  He died.  

I tried my best to continue with my original post, but my mind is so encompassed with this tragic event that I had to put my feelings out there.  So thank you for allowing me to use this forum as therapy.  It is a very special feeling to know that I am able to speak freely and honestly among this group and in return you all give me love and support.  And for that I am truly thankful.

This little boy woke up this morning probably happy to go to school and see his friends.  His dad woke up this morning to his smiling face and drove him to school as he did most days.  And then one minute later their world is changed forever.  

I'm trying to put my feelings into words and I can't find the right ones.  This little boy was the grandson of my neighbor.  I will drive home today and see the cars parked all along the street knowing that their house is full of tears, sadness, grief and I will feel helpless.  But I will send prayers and love and light to this family and I hope you feel inclined to do the same.  This family needs to be wrapped up so tight in love that they don't have to think about what comes next.  The parents will forever replay this morning in their minds.  The little boy's five brothers and one sister will have to learn to move on without their brother.  There will always be a missing piece. 



So as you go about your day please remember that life is a gift and every moment is precious.  We hear that all the time and it sounds so cliche, but those words are truth.   They are truth that we need to hear every single day so that we do not become numb to them. As we send love and light to this family envision them enveloped in it.  Put yourself in a comfy bubble thats warm and filled with loving light and then send that to all of them.  We are all energy and every thought will help.  Thank you.






17 comments:

Carol said...

Since you told us about this yesterday, it's been hard to think about anything else. But in my humble opinion, what you have written here is the best, if the only , response possible. In our town we have lost three teenagers to two horrific accidents in the last four years. Those kids were in my daughter's class - we'd been following them since kindergarden soccer games. One girl had been to slumber parties and sleepovers at my house. The boy was our 8th grade valedictorian and just a big, loving personality. It takes a village bring up kids - and the whole village is effected when they are lost. I think about them very often. I hope the families in OKC can feel the love from all over. I hope we can all remember not to take our kids for granted, but to slow down - to notice - to be present, and never to take love or life for granted.

kelly said...

i can't even imagine leigh. but i think what you're doing ~ sending prayers and love, finding gratitude in the ones you love ~ that's all we can really do in times like this. hugs to you friend. and prayers for that dear family.

Katie said...

i heard about this sad story on the news this morning. my heart goes out to that family, and especially the father. all we can do, like you said, is to wrap that family and all their friends in love. thoughts and prayers go out to them.

heyjudephotography said...

There are no words for tragedy's such as this. My heart is with all of you. Prayers, prayers, prayers.

terriporter said...

Oh, Leigh, there are just no words to describe the sadness that this brings. As Carol said, since you told us abut this yesterday, it has been hard to think of anything else. The poor family as well as my gratitude for my own family. There is nothing more painful than the loss of a child and that father must be in so much pain right now. All the rest of us can do is to send love and prayers that they make it through this and can go on for the rest of their children. I am so glad that you felt you could share this here with and that you knew you would get love and support from us. Prayers are going out to this family as well as to you and everyone who knows them. Yes, extra hugs for all the children in our lives today.

Anonymous said...

Leigh, this is so heartbreaking! Life is so precious and can change at the blink of the eye. Hold your children tighter as I will my grandkids while praying for this family. I don't know them personally, but the Lord does and he answers all prayers near and far. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them". Matthew 18:20

CarolHart said...

This is heartbreaking story Leigh, but am grateful to you for sharing it with us. Today is a gift, that is why they call it the present. We need to be reminded of this every single day. Sending you, your neighbor, and the little boy's family love, light, prayers.

AFishGirl said...

Praying. Praying.

Ida said...

Oh how truly sad. Prayers being sent for all involved. I have a cousin who accidentally killed his own son so I am aware of the pain, guilt and what 'if's" that they must be going through. Thank you for sharing. - I belong to an organization that sends cards of cheer to people for various reasons. If you think they might appreciate this contact me by e-mail and I'll tell you more about it.

Linda/patchwork said...

Oh, my....how tragic. How does one ever get past something like this.
Our prayers are going up, for this family, and the whole community.

Dotti said...

Words are so inadequate; comprehending the searing pain, impossible. Love and prayers for the family and the little boy's school mates. Children understand these things even less than we do.

Barb said...

Sadness beyond reason. This is a tragedy we all shudder to hear. The sadness is unbearable. I will think of this child and his family today, only guessing at the hurt and sorrow they're feeling. Hugs to you, too.

Linda H said...

So very very sad. Sending love and prayers to all concerned...

gina said...

What a terrible tragedy -- a parent's worse nightmare! My heart goes out to the family. Yes, we need to hold our dear ones tightly.

Cathy H. said...

A terrible tragedy! I'll add this family and community to my prayers!

Kim Stevens said...

It's so very tragic and it's been on my mind since finding this out yesterday. Trying to put myself in that dad's shoes I will be praying a lot for him to find forgiveness in himself in this horrible accident, that he can find peace....and for the entire body of family and friends. I just found out this morning that yesterday nearly at the same time frame a young girl, a sophomore, and someone in our church body lost her life in a tragic accident as well. Yes, as Dotti said, words are inadequate . . . sending much love to everyone this has touched!! xo

susan said...

heart breaking story. one that you have to ask yourself…why this little boy, why this family…why? it's so sad.

sending prayers…xo.

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