Accidents Happen
I’m having a hard time today with that idea.
Accidents happen. And I’m terrified of them.
Ever since Uncle Wayne was killed in a car accident (2 years ago, earlier this month), I’ve been terrified. Immediately afterwards, I was scared to drive or even be in a car. Slowly I’ve gotten better about it, but I live with a small fear every day of some freak accident happening to someone I love, taking them from me.
Then yesterday happened.
Mom called me in the morning to tell me that a man I knew back home was killed in a car accident.
And then I just looked at the link to the local news online. The picture of his white Ford flipped over looked exactly the same as the one from my uncle’s accident.
I haven’t seen Jamie in years, but I know his family all too well. His grandmother played piano for Mom and Aunt Karon when they sang together years ago. We went over to their house Saturday nights for the adults to play cards. Jamie’s mom, Donna, babysat TJ and me as a child. Jamie’s uncle, Greg, was our Sunday School teacher. Jamie’s grandfather, Mr. Bill, is still alive, and our family sits next to him EVERY time we go to church back home. It’s our thing. And now Jamie is gone.
What gets me is that this is not the first time they have been through something like this. A little back story - Mr. Bill and Miss Agnes had 3 children - Janet, Greg and Donna. Years ago, long before I was born, Dad sold his car to Janet. Not long after that, the breaks failed, and Janet ran into a tree on her way to school, killing her instantly. The reason Mr. Bill sits in the pew where he does is that, directly in front of it, you can see the side of another pew with a brass plate in memory of Janet.
Yesterday, Jamie ran into a tree, killing him instantly. Just like the aunt he never knew.
So, my terror is back on high alert again. I can’t imagine living without someone in my life. It has been difficult enough just adjust to Uncle Wayne’s loss, and I still don’t think I’m there. This latest has just brought all of those feelings right back to the surface.
Please have Jamie’s family in your prayers this week. I would really appreciate it.
