This week has been quite full of emotions. On Tuesday my principal told me that a kindergartner at Josh and Ashley's school had been killed in bus accident. He told me that as a parent I should be aware of it. At that time I thought - how awful. Then in the next sentence he said something that would change the rest of my week - even the rest of my life. "Mrs. Skinner (My sister in laws mother) said the child was in Odessa's Sunday School class." Right then I knew I KNEW this child! Well somehow I made it through the next hour, trying to teach a math lesson...and not a very good one at that. I was then able to call Jason to find out what happened. He then told me who it was...a boy up the street...he rode Josh and Ashley's bus. I thought "OK...He gets on before Ashley so she's all right - she wouldn't have seen anything." (Josh was already at school because of chior practice) Jason then went on to tell me that the boy had missed the bus and his dad had drove him to a latter stop. It didn't really register, and maybe I was still in too much shock, until the kids Principal called me at school to let me know that yes, Ashley was on the bus when the accident happened. She spent most of the day Wednesday, along with the other 6 kids on the bus, with counselors and student leaders. She is doing ok. Luckily she never saw the boy so that made this easier. He was a year behind her in school...but in her Sunday School Class at church. The family goes to our church. We know them personally. Right now in my church I am the Primary President. This means I am over all the kids age 0-11. I never knew one event could impact so may parts of my life. My kids school, my kid bus, my daugher being involved directly in the accident, my church calling...its been so much to take in. The following I steal from my sister in law Odessa's blog - "My heart is so full this week. I went to the funeral Thursday and even though it was the saddest funeral I have ever attended, I learned many things and my testimony was strengthened so much in that hour.
http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2009/02/13/news/wednesday/news01.txt read the article because it will make sense as I go on. His dad read his eulogy at the funeral and what a man of faith and love he is. Next, I witnessed the most Christ-like example I have ever seen. The bus driver walked in with the family behind the casket and she and her daughter sat next to the parents of the little boy. The dad talked about how they loved the bus driver and no matter what the media portrays, they are going to continue and embrace this woman with their love. He also said that we need to tell our children EVERYDAY how much we love them, not hold grudges, and forgive."
The first thing the bus driver did when I saw her on Thursday was ask how Ashley was doing.
We have had quite a few discussions about death and Josh (the boy in the accident - not our Josh) lately. Tuesday night we pretty much let Ashley vent and talk and do what she needed to work this out. She would just randomly say things as she processed the days events...and at the table she said, "Heaven must be boring." so we asked...why do you say that? to which she responded, "Cause Josh was a funny kid and Heavenly Father must have needed him to make it more fun in Heaven." I couldn't have agreed more with her. As I shared that with his dad Wednesday at the viewing he also agreed with Ashley. Keep this family in your prayers, as well as the bus driver. My kids think she is wonderful, and after speaking to her and seeing her unselfish concern for Ashley I agree.
This isn't me...but it gives you an idea of how high it was...you can just barely see the 12 ft ladder off to the side...so it was at least 24 ft off the ground.
