unknownfate: (lonely under stars)
unknownfate ([personal profile] unknownfate) wrote2009-09-29 05:14 pm
Entry tags:

solemnest of industries

Saddest day at work ever.

Two four year olds drowned in the lagoon yesterday. They were cousins and in the same class. They were sledding about a block or two from where they lived. They went down the hill and onto the ice and fell through. Someone saw the sled and the hole in the ice and got their binoculars. They saw something floating and called 911.

One girl was unresponsive, but the other had some life signs, but neither could be revived. The whole preschool staff went to the house today to offer condolences. If anything is more sad than a family sobbing the names of their dead children while clutching their last little preschool assignments, I don’t want to know about it. I have hugged many people that I don’t know today, but I do know that grief is one of those things you can’t do anything about but be there.

The subject is a line from an Emily Dickinson poem. It's a sure indication I'm upset when I start looking up Dickinson. There was a sign up that said 'Thin Ice', but they were four years old! Still learning the alphabet. The first thing you want to do is scream "Who was watching them?" but it's such a small town that everybody pretty much watches everybody, and these two managed to find a moment when no one was around, or going by, and slide just a little too far.

So it's about as sad as it can be, with the bodies coming back tonight, and another family gathering tomorrow. I'm just glad to be home!

[identity profile] rosehiptea.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'm so sorry. How awful for them and their families. I wish everyone comfort. (Not sure what else to say...)

[identity profile] bane-6.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. There really isn't anything to say, and I've learned that several times today. You can't cheer up someone who is grieving. There aren't words that can make the pain of losing your baby any less. All we can do is be there.

[identity profile] siarwenevenstar.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
This has given me the chills all day long. In my head, I'm hugging you. Tight. xxx

[identity profile] bane-6.livejournal.com 2009-10-01 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I think I'm coping pretty well, but I'm really starting to dread going to the second gathering tomorrow. I don't know if I can face a double dose.

And remember.....

[identity profile] eternal-chimera.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
...Should you need us... ...for any reason.

Re: And remember.....

[identity profile] bane-6.livejournal.com 2009-10-01 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, I appreciate it.