I'll never forget the little blonde headed kid with a big, goofy grin, tearing down the road on his four wheeler or dirt bike or bicycle or whatever other contraption he could come up with to ride, with his sisters flanking him on either side. Once the sisters got old enough to drive (meaning they could touch the pedals and see over the steering wheel of the big grey truck at the same time because, really, what else do you need?) the kids moved on to that mode of transportation. They would ride up to our front yard, park the "vehicle" and come in to sell some sort of chocolate bar or talk about pigs or have a coke.
In recent years, that little blonde headed kid grew up--about a 6 inches taller than me--he became a teenager. This meant he played football. Went to the prom. And did lots of other things that made me feel super old. But every time I would see him, I'd still see that little face of the kid on the four wheeler coming over to have a coke. He'd forever be about 5 years old in my mind.
Our families have been friends and neighbors for 4 generations. His great-grandpa used to help me with my science homework and with the FFA creed. His uncle is the "Dan" in Dan and Jerry. I used to babysit this little blonde headed kid and Little Brother got paid to go help his mom trap mice in the house. We used to go to their house to watch the National Finals Rodeo, because his parents sprung for cable tv and got ESPN. We are connected...our two families.
On Friday, that little blonde headed kid was killed in a freak farm accident. When Little Brother called and told me, I just froze. I didn't cry--not because I was not completely heartbroken, I was--but because I could not get my head around it. I just can't comprehend what happened.
What I can do, is pray, and ask you to do the same. Please keep the Gunn family in your prayers. The pain that they are going through must be just unbearable. And hug the little blonde headed kids in your own life. Because you just never know what may happen tomorrow.
8 comments:
My prayers are with you and the Gunn Family. This just breaks my heart.
BOKG
The family and friends of this sweet little blonde kid are in my thoughts and prayers.
-College Roomie
The Gunn family and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! My heart aches for the Gunn family and am so sorry you are going through this!
~LOKG
This is so sad, Tiffany. I will keep the Gunn family in my prayers.
My grandpa passed away last week and I LOVE that opening quote. I am so sorry to hear about the Gunn family. I will be praying!
Such a sad thing-sending love and prayers. xoxo
Tragic, may he rest in peace. Thinking about his family and friends from across the other side of the globe x
I am so sorry for the family, and community's, loss. This summer marked the 10th and 4th anniversaries of two of our "good ones" losing their lives in farm accidents. Though it never makes sense, I am continually in awe of the closeness a loss like that can inspire in the people involved, as well as the grace that is often demonstrated by those who suffer the most. It's never fair, but there is some comfort in knowing they did not die in vain. May peace be with you all.
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