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| Photo of Kitty, posted with permission |
Today I heard the tragic news that a fellow boat mother lost her precious little girl. Off their boat. In the water. At the dock.
They found her body this morning.
I am sobbing as I type this.
She had just celebrated her fifth birthday. She and her family were going to begin their circumnavigation in the next year. One minute she was on the boat, the next she was not.
And a bright, shining star of a child has left this world forever.
And it could have been us.
It very easily could have been us.
It could have been us. It could have been us.
OH MY GOD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN US.
Just the other night Isla went running down the dock ahead of me after dark. I lost sight of her and panicked. In a split second I imagined the horrific scenario of her falling in the water. My heart was racing. The whites of my eyes alive. All this happened in a split second. "ISLA!" I screamed in that panicked pitch that every parent gets when they fear the worst for their child. "ISLA!" I yelled again, louder, my heart thumping hard in my chest as I started down the dock, frantically looking.
And suddenly my little Isla came running into view. Curls bouncing. Eyes shining. Smile beaming.
I got LUCKY.
It could have been us. It could have been Isla.
My fellow boat mom did not get so lucky. Her little girl will not be running into her arms. And my heart is beyond broken. I grieve for this family, for the tremendous pain I can only begin to imagine they are in, for the fact that one minute the world had darling Kitty, and the next she was gone. Tragedies like this don't make sense. They make you question the laws of the Universe. They make you wonder "why". And there are no answers. Just collective grief. Sharing. Talking. Crying it out with loved ones. Community. Love.
An accident. A single, terrible, horrible and tragic accident. And every parent's worst nightmare.
It's just too close to home.
I do not know this family personally, only online through blogging and various sailing groups. But it was very obvious that Kitty was a force. Beautiful, spritely, wise beyond her years and full of spunk. All this was clear in the way her mother wrote about her and evident the pictures she posted. Her images captured a child full of vivacity with a little hint of mischief and a whole lot of sweet. Kitty was deeply, deeply loved by her family. That, too, was obvious. A beacon of light. A happy little girl who brought a hell of a lot of joy to her family.
It could have been us.
What I have learned in all this is perspective. I can hold my daughters tonight. I can wake up to their smiles. I can squeeze and hug and kiss them all over. This is all that matters. Everything else is just noise.
My friend Behan's research tells me that a typical funeral in the USA costs about $10,000. But what no Google search can tell you the many OTHER costs. Like how much wage disruption can hurt a family unable to work while mourning, which the Family and Medical Leave Act won’t do much to help. How the stress of financial strain compounded on grief takes a toll on families. How they need to keep their lives normal, while coming to terms that it will never be the same. If you feel so inclined, please help if you can by contributing to the GoFundMe Page set up for the family by a close friend. Every little bit will help.
Hold your babies close tonight. Say a prayer for Kitty and her family. Light a candle for heaven's new angel. Turn on your anchor light in her honor. Don't speculate. Don't shame. Don't talk about the should'ves, would'ves or could'ves. Show empathy. Put yourself in their shoes. Send light and love out into the Universe. Be grateful. Be kind. For Kitty.
9 comments:
That is horrible news to hear. Its especially sad when one so innocent and young leaves the world before they really got the chance to experience it. Rest in Peace Kitty.
Wish the Family a lot of strenght to go trough this hard time. Worst nightmare who can happen to a sailing Family.
Wow - so sad and tragic. Having kids around on a boat is great fun - and also a great responsibility.
Prayers to the family that they find peace and understanding at this difficult time.
Thank you. That's what we're each thinking, isn't it? Mine are grown, but there's the next generation, my sweet grandbaby, running around ahead of her mommy--and it could have been... It could have been.
We've known Kitty through Cidnie's words and pictures. She seemed all you said, that light in their world. Snuffed out too soon. I long to add my hugs to all of yours for this sister of ours and for her family.
We're continuing in prayer, because we must. We have no words that will change a single thing. Only love/
Continue to share stories and remember Kitty. As a bereaved parent your worst fear is your child will be forgotten. When Grandma or Grandpa passes after a long fruitful life they have touched many lives, but a child had such a short time with us a parent worries. Whenever I'm reminded of my daughter Virginia I smile and remember her lovingly and feel blessed for the 9 years I had her with me in person. Thoughts and prayers for Kitty's family. This is my Virginia moment for today.
Well written. My heart has been heavy and I've shed a few tears yesterday, and again tbis morning just thinking of their pain. Life is so unfair sometimes and just doesn't make sense. My problems dim in comparison. I will hug my 23 yr old daughter tight this weekend. Since you have 3 little ones .. Isn't there some sort of bracelet that sounds an alarm when submergedt? May be worth looking into. As you said, things can change in an instant. So sad for the family!
Sweet momma. We are sobbing with you. My heart broke for this precious family. I know how very fast your seemingly happy life can change in a single second. We lost our beautiful niece/goddaughter in the blink of an eye. She was 18 months old. It is a pain so sharp that you swear you will never forget and your life changes in that instant. But you can and will be able to get through this. You hold your babies and you cry for the loss of this bright and shiny star. God is holding her. She is safe with him. Gentle hugs. Colleen Charlton
My heart aches for them. Thank you for so beautifully expressing the thoughts I have, and for including the gofundme link.
My thoughts and prayers for all.I lost a nephew the same way.He was just 3 yrs old.Just want to relay my prayers for Kitty and for All that have been touched . I surely have been......God Bless
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