We've had a tragedy here in our neighborhood. I have never had anything like this happen so close to me.
We live on the base here. Yesterday around dinner time I had noticed that multiple cop cars had raced by, kind of wondered what was going on, but forgot about it as I got dinner on the table. I went to go check the mail and saw that the cops were at a house very close to mine. Noted it with interest and then went back inside. Later I was outside playing with the dog. It is my nightly routine to give my dog a little rawhide chip every night, and I always walk to my fence and toss one over for the dog that lives behind us. (We have chain link fencing) On my way back into the house I noticed the cops were still in the house, and even stranger, there was police tape all around the back yard. And for some reason I noticed an upstairs window was all the way open. It struck me as odd, but all the pieces didn't fall into place in my mind.
After I had gotten the children into bed, I was surfing online and there was a knock at the door. It was a police officer. He asked me if he could ask me a few questions. I came outside so we wouldn't wake my kids. He asked me if I had heard anything around 5 that evening, like a child screaming. My heart sank and I said no. He pushed me about it for a while, seeming desperate that I would know *something. But, I honestly didn't. I told him around that time I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary until the cop cars. I then asked him what happened. He wasn't able to tell me anything really except that a child had died. I went numb.
Talking to different neighbors, including a few that went to a vigil tonight at that house, a 1 year old little boy fell out of an upstairs window. The rumor mill is working hard, and I've heard lots of different theories, but no one really knows what happened. I will say that the incident is under really heavy investigation. I found a snippet in the local paper saying that the body was being sent for autopsy even.
My heart really hurts though, especially as a mother. The house it happened at is SO close to ours. About 100 feet away. How could something like this happen? How could a child die so close to me and I didn't even know? I know that there was probably nothing I could have done. Rationally, I know that. But the mama bear in me? Is feeling heavy guilt. What if I had been outside? What if I had been able to do something? How could this happen?
4 comments:
That just makes me sick. I would be feeling the same emotions you are now, Meghann, if that happened in my neighborhood. When it comes to children it all hits too close to home. Hugs to you and your community.
WOW Meghann! I can't imagine that, I am very sorry to hear about it. I want to tell you not to feel guilty, but the Momma in me knows why you feel that way. We always want to "fix" things or protect children who are not being protected (if that was the case?). My heart goes out to the family, I can not imagine the pain...and really do not want to.
((hugs))
I hate hearing about these things, but they do happen in this crazy imperfect world. The only thing good about this story is imagining that sweet little boy playing with all the other innocent children at Jesus' feet in Heaven. He'll never have any more pain as he is in perfect bliss. It makes me so grateful for the little life I have to take care of and how fragile and precious it is. I do my best and pray for his safety and trust God. After all, children belong to Him and are just on loan to us for awhile, to raise. That takes a lot of the pressure off! We'll be praying for all of ya'll. What a teachable moment for your little ones.
Oh no, that is so sad. I am so sorry.
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