You cannot unsee the hard things. Yesterday, as I was en route to pick up something, I could hear sirens filling the air. I came out between two buildings and saw the accident scene. A vehicle and a semi had t-boned at an intersection. I had to cross the street to get to where I was going. I told myself not to look and to just keep walking. Other people stood on the sidewalks gawking. I shook my head. I planned my alternate route. Then I caught the eye of a woman who was not gawking. She was standing there and I could not read her face. A witness, I wondered. She broke eye contact and I knew that she wanted no comfort. I walked past her and on to my task. I turned to make sure that the street was safe to cross and just as I did the paramedic yanked the driver door open, allowing me to see inside. My heart crumbled at what I saw. I kept walking.

On the way back, a woman on her phone was saying that a baby had been involved. I took a deep breath and kept on walking, praying all the while since I had first come upon the scene. I had been gone maybe 10 minutes. I steeled myself for what I might see as I emerged from behind the building that hid the accident scene. Some people were still standing out on the sidewalk. In my head, I muttered at them to go away, in between my prayers. These moments, painful and private, will stick in memories forever. I saw my first accident when I was in Kenya over 25 years ago. I am pretty sure that man on the side of the road was dead. I still see it because you cannot unsee these scenes. They are shocking.

I checked the street again before crossing and my eyes unfortunately strayed to the small person on the ground, surrounded by paramedics. All I could see was his stocking feet, so tiny and still. I heard later that one of the paramedics offered him a teddy bear to calm and comfort him as he lay there on the board. I returned to my car and pulled out my phone. Please pray….I posted on Facebook. I do not like to use Facebook for these purposes but I needed to know that this family and the team working to rescue them were surrounded in prayer. I have not heard a follow up to the story today but in checking online last night I did hear that all three occupants, including the baby had been upgraded to stable condition. Thanks be to God. May healing happen for everyone involved.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

Have you ever seen something horrible that is permanently ingrained on your memory?
What has been your response to witnessing a tragedy, either in person or on television?

Prayer

Loving God,
You send angels to minister
when we need them most.
I pray for these two families
who are impacted by this accident
May peace and healing be theirs.
May angels also attend to the needs
of those who worked the scene
or witnessed the crash.

Amen.