Lessons from the Worst Freeze In My Life

This past Tuesday, 22 January, was the worst freeze I have ever experienced in my life. While I was not adversely affected personally, there were two serious accidents that occurred that were close enough to affect me. The first accident was a crash in which a man slid off of Indian River Road, rolled his vehicle several times only to escape from it and then get hit by a tractor trailer also sliding on the ice. That man was the son of my friend and mentor. I was beside myself with grief for him, able to only imagine the agony he must have gone through - indeed, still going through - knowing he had lost his son. I am a father of 3 sons. The second accident happened probably less than hour later along the same stretch of road. This time, a teacher slid his vehicle into a tree, breaking his back. That teacher was my oldest son's high school baseball coach. He is currently paralyzed from the waist down. 

Both accidents happened very early in the morning that day. It had rained the night before and then the temperature dropped to the 20's during the morning hours. No one saw it coming. The school superintendent took it on the chin from citizens, for not recalling the buses and starting school later in the morning. But he shouldn't be blamed for this. I know that there are those who say different, but blaming him doesn't solve the issue. The majority of the buses were already on the road picking up high school students by the time the accident reports were coming online. But it is a good lesson learned for all the cities; communicating weather and traffic conditions are very important 24 hours a day. 

For my friend and mentor, I wish for him a quick solace. There is no replacing a son (or a daughter), and time heals all - eventually. He has the comfort of his friends, as much as we can provide him and the love of his wife and daughter. As for the Coach. He is in better spirits. He came out of surgery early yesterday morning with his spine back in tact. The last report tonight was that he was beginning to have some sensation in his thigh area. He is also making out the workout roster for the Kellam baseball team while he's in his room. He, too, has the comfort of his friends and supporters. 

As I think about it further, I have realized a couple of things: 

1) The world is truly getting smaller for me.

2) No matter what happens in this world, we are personally connected to it more and more each day.

3) It is my sincere desire that I am deserving of as many friends as these two are.

With such personal connections with people and events around us (like them or not), I believe that it is even more important for us to see those connections and ensure that they are the most positive as we are capable of making them.