When Things Like This Happen

...I have to wonder why I spend so
much time worrying. When your number's up,
it's up.

Death is all around. It makes no distinction
with race, gender, age, socioeconomic
status, ethnicity or character. It doesn't care
if it's a beautiful, clear, sunny day or the most
bitter day the planet has ever known. It doesn't
care if it's midnight or 2 in the afternoon. It certainly
doesn't care if you're minding your own business or
actively seeking it.

*

Yesterday afternoon, as a local company was
preparing to unload a tractor, something
went terribly wrong. The truck, trailer,
and tractor were parked in a driveway. As
the John Deere came off the trailer, its
weight caused the trailer to lift in the air
which sent the truck, (which had hauled
it to its spot), to start hurtling downhill.

The truck went down a lane, crossed a highway
(missing several obstacles that could have
stopped it), veered to the left (which kept
it from hitting a house), and plowed right into
a mother, her 10 month old son (whom she had
on a swingset in the yard under a shade tree)
and her 4 yr old daugther. The mother and 10
month old died instantly. The 4 yr old is
expected to survive. The report just kept
mentioning what a completely freaky accident
this was and that nothing remotely similar
had happened in recent memory.

*

So, there she way, enjoying the shade and her
children, when this unoccupied truck comes
straight at her. Geez.

*