Sometimes “normal” seems boring. Most days are like that around here. Days filled with ordinary things like breakfast, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, sweeping the floor . . . . buying groceries, fixing supper, praying together, tucking in the little ones at night . . . the days pass by, one by one, like fleeting clouds on a windy day. Yesterday seemed like another ordinary, “normal” day here for our family. And it was. But for another family, not too far from our house, it was a day filled with heartbreak and tragedy.

Very early in the morning, just as I was getting my girls up and ready for school, the rest of the community was busy getting ready for the day. The cars, trucks, and school buses were zipping by our house in the darkness of the morning rush hour. We were busy fixing breakfast, making lunches, packing up school bags, gathering up homework, finding the shoes and coats – all of the “normal” things that we do every morning. The girls left for school and I went to work.

Later, I had time to clean up the kitchen, toss in a load of laundry, sweep the floor and tidy up the bedrooms and bathrooms. Then I took a morning break, and after a few minutes I went back to work. It was all so “normal” and ordinary. When I took a little break from my online work later in the day, I decided to check Facebook. Don’t we all do that, everyday, a thousand times? I noticed a post from our local school that mentioned something about being supportive of the families who had just experienced a tragic loss in our community, but I had no idea what it was about. So I thought I would try to find out what was going on.

And then the messages began to flood the pages of my FB feed. At around 7:00 a.m. that morning, as the school buses were picking kids up while it was still dark outside, a driver did not stop for the flashing lights on the bus or see the STOP sign that every bus puts out when they are waiting for children to get on or get off. The driver was going 55 miles per hour, and she thought that the lights she was seeing were from the farm implements and tractors that are out on all of the roads in our area at all hours of the day and night. It is harvest time, after all.

The news reports told us that this young woman, just 24 years old, had been called to come to the hospital as her father was dying. She was anxious, worried, and in a hurry. She works at a local church as a ministry leader, so she knew she would not be going in to work that day. Her two young children were in the car with her as she was on her way to pick up her sister so they could both rush to the hospital to see their father. As far as anyone knows, she was not texting or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She was scared and, I’m sure, praying that she would get to the hospital in time.

And then it happened.

As she flew around a curve, right there in the road were the flashing lights of the school bus. But she didn’t realize it was a school bus until it was too late. It was not, after all, a tractor or a combine on the way to the next corn field. And there were four small children running across the road, right at that moment, to get on the school bus for a “normal” day with their classmates and teacher. At 55 miles per hour, she hit the children and three of them died. Twin brothers and their sister. The other one remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Of course, the whole community is devastated. And not just our community, as this happened not too far from our house but it is actually in the next school district over.

Praying for everyone involved sometimes seems like such a small gift in the midst of such a horrific tragedy. But for most of us, it is what we can do. As a community, we must come together to uphold one another, especially the families of everyone who has been struck by this devastating accident. It was an accident. The driver was not being careless . . . she was in a hurry and she was worried. She needs our prayers, too.

In this time of tragedy, as I sweep the floor, do the dishes and fold the laundry, I am reminded that “normal,” ordinary, and even boring can sometimes be a gift. For that I am grateful at this moment, on this rainy November day. I hope that you will treasure the moments in your life when things seem rather quiet, simple, “normal,” and boring. And if you are in the midst of turmoil, fear, sadness, tragedy, or heartbreak, please reach out to those who can be an encouragement to you. Life is way too short not to seek opportunities to connect with others who will help carry your burden. Will you pray for our little community and for those who were involved in this tragedy please? Thank you for your kindness.

Please join us this week for the Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party where you can connect with other bloggers and make new friends . . . who will pray for you and with you when you are walking through times of sadness and grief. I do hope to see you there.

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

Remember you can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. It’s time to party my sweet bloggy friends. You can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. – Inlinkz has implemented a new policy when you add your link to the list you need to click the little square boxes about their policies on the bottom right.

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Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Marilyn-Marilyns Treats

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Angelina- Petite Haus

Amber- Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Theresa- Shoestring Elegance

Linda- Crafts a la Mode

Pam- An Artful Mom

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