L’Observateur / June 2, 1999

Yes, it’s that time of year once more, when school is letting out for the summer and children will be on the roads, in the parks, at the movies and on the go. It’s also that time of year when traffic accidents involvingchildren are on the increase.

The joy of living is the birthright of children. They play with unboundedenthusiasm. They laugh and smile with unfettered delight. And it can all becut so short, so quickly, by an inattentive driver who “just didn’t see” the child dash out in front of a vehicle.

It can happen to any one of us. We may be hurrying to an appointment or toa store or to work. Our minds are occupied, not only on driving, but onwhat we will be doing once we reach our destination. In short, we’re amillion miles away.

Then it happens.

A child who is only thinking of right here, right now, wants to cross the street – now. They act. We react, but we do so never as quickly as a child’sthought. A heart-sickening sound is heard. Suddenly, our own plans areinstantly forgotten. Whatever was occupying our minds, which we oncethought was so important, is completely wiped away from ourselves. Achild, though, whose life was before him, together with wishes and dreams, is gone. So, too, are the hopes and dreams of his family for thatchild. And nothing is ever the same again.To a degree, our own joy of life is lessened, knowing that we were an instrument in snatching away that joy of living from another. Even shouldthe child survive, that child’s life is forever changed, as is ours. We arehaunted by what we might have done but never can now.

Some of those drivers will face charges and some will even face a prison sentence. However, no prison is as sure as the loss of a child.As this summer comes upon us, let us all be mindful that the joy of life is a precious thing, but never more precious as that for a child. Let’s take alittle longer to get places. Let’s keep both eyes alert for children, as theymay not be watching out for themselves.

And let’s be safe out there.

L’Observateur

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

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