I was busy all day yesterday, and the day before, contemplating a great deal about the fickles of fortune.
http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=104&ArticleID=22685&TM=32194.18The above news article describes a house fire way out in the country north of Norfolk, Nebraska, that happened on Monday night, in which two children were burned to death.
It was an enormous old house in the midst of a forest, and I myself saw the flames from several miles away to the north and west, but had been told it was "probably" just an old barn.
It was not until later I learned of the fatalities, and that I knew one individual involved--very well; a really good kid--and that the fire had been caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=104&ArticleID=22710&TM=32194.18The above is a follow-up story, on the reaction of the father of the kid, whom I also know, but not as well as the kid. But what I do know of him corresponds exactly with the newspaper report; and the woman and her children were better off where they were, than if in a "shelter" for abused women.
The kid was the only one in the household present at the time of the time of the fire, who smokes.
The kid--of course not to mention all others--is overwrought with anxiety and guilt, and I'm sure it's going to affect him the rest of his life.
Damn.
What is the best way to remind a person that being human--negligent and young--and causing a tragedy is different from deliberately and maliciously causing a tragedy?I am reminded of a story oftentimes told about my father (I myself have no memory of the event); when I was three years old, I was struck by an automobile driven by what was apparently an absent-minded old guy who was drunk at the time, and considerable damage was done me, an utterly busted up and smashed body, and some time passed before it looked as if I was going to make it.
The county attorney and the city police wanted to press charges, when my father, a figure of local and regional prominence stepped in, and said he would not cooperate with such a thing.
It was an accident, he insisted; the old guy had meant no harm.
(This discussion took place when it was still unsure if I was going to make it.)
One should of course feel guilty for some tragedy that has happened, whether on purpose or not, but surely less guilty if it were because of normal and ordinary human error, human fallibility.
Sometimes bad luck just happens.
God forgives all.