Handle with Care

We don't often think about the phrase "Life is fragile: Handle with care" until something tragic happens to shatter our normal, quiet, safe existence.

We had a tragedy in Wisconsin Rapids this weekend. A senior boy was killed in a car accident on the way to prom last night. The two teens riding with him were injured but all reports indicate they will be OK. Well, as OK as a person could be after losing a close friend.

When I heard the news at church this morning, I immediately got a chill down my spine. That could have been one of ours.

Casey, my oldest step-son, is a junior this year but didn't go to the prom. But even in as large a school as ours is, he still knows who the kids involved are. I guess once word got out at prom last night, there wasn't much dancing or light discussion after that. What a terrible thing for those classmates to go through, let alone the parents.

Hubby and I shared some tears about this today. How can we protect our babies? Beyond prayers for their safety, can we? Casey is out driving on those streets and highways every day. It makes us realize how vulnerable he is. Heck, we all are. We can try to be safe and smart about our choices but not everything is in our control.

All the details haven't been released on the accident, but preliminary reports indicate speed (not alcohol) was a factor. I guess those details don't matter so much when a boy who was to graduate in 3 weeks and had his whole life in front of him is now gone.

Indeed, life is fragile. How are you handling yours?