3/31/10

Sorrow

Last night our small school and community experienced a devastating tragedy that has deeply affected us all. One of our families was involved in a very bad rollover vehicle accident, they are a beautiful, loving, close-knit and caring family and tragically not all of them made it.

They lost Jaxon (3rd grade) the responsible big brother, and Ryder (2nd grade) the sweet quieter brother, both of whom have left a huge hole in the hearts of our school and community. Rocky (1st grade) the adorable mischievous little brother survived with some broken bones and is expected to recover fully. Jazmyn (Kindergarten) a little ray of sunshine everyday, sustained very bad injuries and is critically ill in ICU. Jacqueline (mom) whose love for her babies just shone out of her always, is critically ill in ICU. And dad who was not in the car, has to deal with all this tragedy in one blow.

Our hearts have been broken and all we can do right now is pray for those that are so sick and lean on each other to get through this sorrow. This has been the hardest day of my 25yr working life, despite wonderful support from a trauma counseling team all day.

The following days are going to be tough and so I will be taking a break from blogging, as I work through my grief and put all my effort into supporting my community and our young students.

30 comments:

LHA said...

Oh, my Lord, Sarah, this is awful. I am so, so sorry. You'll all be in my prayers.

Expat mum said...

Oh no...how truly terrible. I'm sitting here welling up at the thought of their losses. And yours.

Girl Tornado said...

Oh Sarah, how truly horrible. We had a bad head-on collision a few weeks ago on I-35 (drunk driver heading north in the south bound lanes)... he killed almost an entire family... mom, a 9 yr old son, and a 17 yr old girl whose twin did survive but is paralyzed now from the waist down. Dad was at home -- they were getting a jumpstart on spring break, heading to TX to visit family. They had just left Wichita (home) about 40 mins before this idiot hit them.

My heart goes out to both these families. I don't know how they manage to keep going, their grief is so great. But keep going they must, for those who have survived and are going to need them so desperately as they heal.

My heart goes out to you Sarah, as you help this family deal with their loss. Prayers and hugs to all ~

Leslie: said...

Oh my gosh! What a tragedy indeed! My heart is breaking for everyone involved! My prayers go up for them all. With the Lord's help, they will cope eventually but will all be scarred for the rest of their lives.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Sarah, my condolences to you and all touched by this family. Wish I could give you a hug.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Sarah... I'm so very very sorry... I will keep the family --and you and the school family in my prayers. God Be with ALL of you.
Hugs,
Betsy

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Ooh what a tragic event ;(
I will say a special prayer for the family, and all those who knew the boys.
It will be a solemn time in the next few weeks.
So sorry...

Jenny said...

Oh my, that is just horrible. You take all the time you need, and my thoughts are with the family, with you, and your whole community.

Anonymous said...

What a terrible tragedy! I hope that those who are in ICU recover completely. My thoughts are with you and the family.

Sandy said...

How totally heartbreaking.
You, the family and community are in my warm thoughts.

((HUGS))

Frostbite and Sunburn said...

My heartfelt best wishes and get-well vibes sent across cyberspace to all of you - what a sad, sad, tale.

musingegret said...

My thoughts and prayers for healing go out to you, Sarah, the family of the tragedy and the shaken community. Tragedies remind us of the preciousness of life and love. Thank you for so candidly sharing.

Anonymous said...

Heartbreaking tragedy indeed. My thoughts are with the family, you and your community.

Anonymous said...

That is so desperately sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and with you and your school.

Flea said...

Oh hon. I'll be praying. What a horrid tragedy.

Jill of All Trades said...

Oh my goodness that is just the most horrible thing. I can't imagine what the husband, family and friends must be going through.

Sherri said...

Oh Sarah how absolutely horrible. They are all in my prayers. What a truly terrible thing to happen.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

My condolences to you, your community, and especially to the family involved.

flat rock creek notebook said...

I just began following your blog a few weeks ago, but am deeply moved by this post and, of course, will keep this family and your school community in my thoughts and prayers this Easter weekend.

Mary
Flat Rock Creek Notebook

Daryl said...

Keeping them and you in my thoughts.

LadyFi said...

Oh, I'm so very very sorry. What a senseless tragedy.

Linda Jennings said...

Thinking of you, this family and your community during this very difficult time.

Pam said...

Prayers all around. I didn't hear about this accident. Such a tragedy. I came by to wish you a happy Easter but I will wish you peace and love instead.

Lynn said...

So sorry to read this. You just never know what life is going to throw at you.

EcoRover said...

I am so sad to hear your tragic news and wish you & your community all good thoughts. We've had a rash of teenage partying deaths in communities hearabouts (W Montana), it is so sad & unnecessary.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Such an awful tragedy, thinking of everyone

Victoria x

Missy said...

Wow, really makes you stop and think.

Vickie said...

{{HUGS}} and my prayers for the family and friends.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

The latest news on the survivors - Rocky had surgery on his broken leg Thursday and was released Friday night. Mom, Jacqueline was released Saturday morning and is doing as well as can be expected considering her loss. Jazzy had surgery Thursday, is off the ventilator and although in a body cast, is improving steadily.

Iota said...

So sorry to read this (came to it late in the day, and was glad to read your update). There is nothing to say, really.

Last week, my daughter's school lost a little boy. His twin sisters (in middle school) were also in the car. One survived and one didn't. Their mother didn't. It's just awful.

I've just read the comments, and see that Oz Girl talked about this accident too.