It is very difficult to believe that I am writing again about young people who have lost their lives again. Two young ladies from Hartselle died in a tragic accident Saturday night. One attended Hartselle High and the other Danville High School.

The two were involved in a go-cart accident that was struck by a vehicle.

One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other passed away soon after from blunt force trauma.

This brings the number to six young people from Morgan County who has lost their lives since January of this year. Four of these deaths have taken place the last three Saturdays. All of the young folks were nineteen and younger. Their lives were just beginning and all had a future they were planning.

While no one can understand why these tragic accidents have happened, or happened over and over again this past four months, it does seem to bring to the forefront of our minds that life is brief.

Whether we live to a ripe old age, or as in these young men and women, their lives were over practically as they were reaching adulthood. There are no answers to the question of how long we live. Now many will say that our actions and choices contribute to our length of days. But in so many instances, such as with the young men and women of our local communities, it seemed that fate took over and something happened that resulted in loss of life.

Regardless of how or why the accidents occurred six young people that were well-known, happy people, loved by their family and friends and had plans for the future are no longer walking, talking and living their lives.

In speaking with principals again this week, the same thought was mentioned, the empty desk normally occupied by each young lady was a reminder they had departed this life. The empty desk symbolizes the feeling of loss and emptiness that each parent, family member and friend is feeling inside now. While I cannot begin to imagine how the loss of a child feels, prayers for comfort and for finding some type of peace are one of the best things anyone can do for a parent in situations such have occurred so frequently in the past few days.

The communities have surrounded the families and friends of all of these young people, and the remarks on social media have been something to the effect, that it helped knowing how much their child was loved.

The schools where each student attended have been there with counselors on hand to help those who are grieving and struggling with the loss. The students are given opportunities to ask questions and even just to be together to share the loss with each other. However, that empty desk is still present in each class.

My prayers are with those parents, family members, friends and teachers who have experienced the tragic losses that God comforts them in a way that only He can. I also ask you to join me in praying that there are no more empty desks.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.