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There is one family member who crops up once in a while that I never got to know personally, but his life was so personal and precious to other family members that it nearly feels like I knew him. They were quite open about talking about their memories of him despite the tragedy that took his life at ten years old. There's a significant story that I've heard by a second-hand source, so how much accuracy is in it I don't know, but the message itself is significant despite how many of the facts remained true, but knowing how the family takes this particular subject seriously, I don't think it was too far off.
This ten-year-old boy was a happy and cheerful child, and many people were fond of him. He was riding the back of a truck on the top of some hay when the brakes failed on the truck and he got pinned under it. I'll spare the details from here, but I will point out that there were several family members around, and his older brother in particular witnessed all of it. The truck happened to be borrowed from a neighbor. This is where our story begins. This was, of course, a sad and difficult situation for the family, particularly that older brother, but there were other people who were greatly impacted by this event, including that family who lent the truck. When they wanted to express their condolences from the family, it was quite clear by their reluctance to come to the house that they felt a significant burden on their shoulders, knowing it was their truck that killed the boy. The story is that they finally took up the courage to come up to the house. The family saw the burden they carried and embraced them, telling them that they weren't blaming anyone for the accident.
I love this story! It's only natural for a grieving family to want to ask questions and want to target someone, particularly when a child is involved. I think the older brother experienced a little PTSD, but in general the family became more unified. They were a religious family, and learned to put their trust in not only each other, but also in God, to know how to go forward in life after this solemn time.
It's memories like this that are shared with people that we are reminded how precious life is. Having to take care of others also reminds me of that each day. Dealing with sicknesses, bad seizures, diabetic shocks, and so on aren't always easy things to witness. Make enjoyable memories. Appreciate having time together. It doesn't require money or some big excursion to make our time worthwhile. We are the ones who complicate things, but the truth is that making memories and enjoying life with our loved ones is extremely simple. Don't stress out over the unimportant details!
Live life well and hug a loved one today!
