On Friday of last week, our office (faculty and most of the staff) found out, during the convocation and open house, that a member of our staff had been killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday, April 19th. We were all in shock, to say the least, and just could not believe that he was gone. We all had just seen him on Wednesday and it seemed like a April fools joke.
Loren died instantly, and his wife (who was on the back of the motorcycle for a 27th anniversary trip) is scrapped and banged up but is ok. Two deer ran out into the road and both had helmets on. Really Loren, in my opinion saved his wife. He took most of the brunt from the deer. It has been hard to think that his family is without him here in this earthly life. Loren was an amazing person. You could tell that he loved his family very much and they were his number one priority! In addition, he loved to do many things (i.e. motorcycle rebuild, scuba diving, skiing, outdoors, etc.) He had a fun laugh and was always helpful in our department. I have thought about how it seems so unfair and I am sure that someone I know would say "well this is a perfect example that demonstrates that there is now God." Wit that response, I combat it and think just the opposite. His wife was sparred and can be with their 4 children. When she awoke right after the accident and realized that Loren had died, she was shaking uncontrollably and was not able to dial 911. A car came by shortly after and the women in the car was a registered nurse. Coincident? I think not.
We may not understand why somethings happen and are very quick to blame others, especially God. The thing is, and as this story demonstrates, that he (God) is still there trying to comfort you if you will just let him in. The blessing to have their mother and those small miracles or tender mercies that happen during and after the accident testify of many things. This experience has not only reaffirmed my own beliefs but it also has reminded me of how fragile life really is. So I say, make the most of it, tell the people you care about that you love them, make amends, be a little more kind, have a plan, etc. because you never know when you may end up having a "life sometimes just does not seem fair" kind of day