Too soon to be gone

As a parent, I cannot imagine what the sudden death of your child would do to you. Last week as we learned that a local teenager had died in a tragic automobile accident, it really brings to mind how quickly one’s life can change. When you say goodbye to your son or daughter each morning, that could possibly be the last time you would speak to them this side of eternity.

During our youth, the thoughts of death we have are usually of grandparents, aunts, uncles, or maybe elderly friends or neighbors. We never think that one of our classmates or friends could have their life end so abruptly. The shock of death to one so young brings questions to all. There are no answers as to why tragedies such as this occur. Many will try to explain but there is no answer that our human mind could possibly comprehend. Only God above will be able to answer the why’s that we ask when a tragedy occurs.

The Danville community continues to mourn the loss of Jacob Birdwell, the young man killed last week, and for his classmates it will be something they will remember for years to come.

Thirty-one years ago a member of the Morgan County High (now Hartselle High) Class of 1980 was killed in a car accident only a few weeks before graduation. Even so many years later many members of that graduating class mention they think about Kelly each time they cross the bridge on U.S. 31 where the accident occurred.

Life is precious and we are not guaranteed the days or years that we are appointed. Seeing the friends working so diligently to raise money for funeral arrangements, working on ways to remember him and expressing their hurt over their classmate’s death means a lot to the grieving family. Nothing can replace the loss of any life, but to know so many others loved them, perhaps it will help in the healing process.

It has also been reported that the family decided to donate their son’s organs. This selfless act will no doubt enable others to live longer and even save the lives of those with terminal health problems.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they face the future without their child.

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