Day 48/366

Some Sad Sometimes...

...you learn that the horrific traffic accident you heard about on the news last night is closer to home than you would have liked it to be.

You learn that another road fatality statistic is much more than that: a daughter, sister, niece, a cousin - a friend.

You didn't know her well, but she has been a member of your small community since infant-hood.

You first met her when she was a toddler; then watched her as she progressed through school, until one day she was confidently working part-time in the local supermarket.

Now you imagine how her family received the news, and you are drawn back to the day you  took that phone call four years ago almost to the day, and you were told to sit down, because the news was bad.

So you sat down, right there on the kitchen floor; because the closest chair was more than two steps away, and as you heard the words you felt your heart being wrenched out of your chest.

Today, you want to tell her family that the anguish they feel will diminish, but not in a day, a week, a month, nor even a year.

Eventually the heart-pain will diminish but not for a long time.

For a long time they will think of her every waking moment, then eventually they will think of her every day, then maybe once a week.  But they will never stop thinking about her completely.

I want to tell them too, that even though she is gone, eventually they will know she is always with them, because she had never left.

But if I told them these things, I know they will not understand.

Today, they will not understand, but eventually they will.

Knowing this comforts me a little but sadly it does not comfort them.

Rest in peace Sarah.

Twenty three years young.