It could have been me
Reading back on my post from last night, I was struck by the tragic coincidence between my words and the events that befell the Bingham family.
I wrote about how we never know when our number will come up. It hurts to think that as I wrote, safe in my home with my family, another family was torn apart.
I wrote about how I once worked in a building into which an aircraft was deliberately crashed. It’s devastating to think that we are never NOT at risk – at home, at work, at leisure.
I thought about how I have crossed W. 42nd Street at Eighth Avenue against the light probably hundreds of times. That’s wider than most interstate highways.
I thought about the foolish risks I took as a teen. As a young adult. Hell, as an adult who should have known better.
What happened Saturday night could happen to any one of us. It’s horrific to contemplate, but it’s true. The Bingham family did nothing out of the ordinary, took no uncalculated risks. They crossed the street with the light, in the crosswalk.
Sometimes we obey the rules, comply with the laws, and our number still comes up.
Say what you want to say, today. Don’t assume that you’ll always have tomorrow.
November 12th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
I am sorry, i do not know this story of the Bingham family. It must be very tragic.
November 12th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
>>Say what you want to say, today.
Hear, hear.
I had a difficult but important talk with a friend today. She’s having many troubles, but getting better. And I’m so glad that we reached out to talk.
November 12th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
What happened to that family is so tragic. I was shocked when I read that they were in a crosswalk crossing with the light. You teach your kids to obey the laws, you try so hard to keep them safe, but you’re right, you just never know.
November 12th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
We had a family out here whose children were mowed down while they were walking home from getting ice-cream. They were on the sidewalk. A drunk nanny (on the way to work) jumped the curb and killed the kids. Scary stuff.
November 13th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Excellent advice. I saw that story too and I admit I couldn’t watch it.
I’m a bit fatalistic here, I suppose. If it’s your time, it’s your time. You just live life as best you can.
November 13th, 2006 at 9:03 am
As scary as it is to confront our own mortality, the thought of experiencing our children’s is just — well, overwhelming is far too weak a word.
November 13th, 2006 at 9:48 am
As Warren Zevon said “Life will kill ya.”
November 13th, 2006 at 10:33 am
I got goosebumps reading that story. How tragic! But I agree with Mom101, if it’s your time, no matter where you are…you can’t hide it.
November 13th, 2006 at 10:41 am
There aren’t words for this kind of tragedy. I’m angry that the drunk driving laws in this country aren’t more stringent. I’m angry that this Trujillo guy was thoughtless and stupid. I’m consumed with sorrow for this father who lost his entire world in the blink of an eye…and that nothing can change this outcome.
Just awful. Warren Zevonalso said, “Enjoy every sandwich”. I think that applies to what you were trying to say, Mothergoosemouse.
November 13th, 2006 at 11:40 am
It is tragic. Very.
Hard too, to know that it’s not “if” we die, it’s when.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Mayberry mom, I agree. I can stomach my own mortality. But the thought of anything happening to my children frightens me.
November 13th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
It can happen to anyone at anytime. Scary but true.
November 13th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
That is so sad. I’m so sorry to read about that.