As I sit here writing another story about yet another human tragedy that has touched our community I can not help but reflect on how quickly life changes. In just the past two weeks two families lost their husbands and fathers in a motorcycle wreck and shooting, two young children were orphaned in an accident in Banks County, a Clarkesville family lost their 22-year old daughter to a merciless illness and two other local families are grappling with the aftermath of frightening wrecks. All so sudden. So unexpected. So sad. And these are just the stories we know about. How many more people are out there hurting today?
What is it about us humans that it takes such tragedies to remind us of how fleeting our days are; how precious are the moments we have here on earth.
When you’re young life seems endless. It’s a grand adventure with seemingly limitless possibilities. In youthful aspiration we think to ourselves ‘Maybe I’ll move to Paris, New York, London or Rome. Maybe I’ll become an actor, a singer, a writer, NFL player or president.’ Or maybe our aspirations are simpler and closer to home. ‘One day I want to get a good paying job, maybe start my own business and raise my family here.’ Many in the senior class at Habersham Central High School right now are probably saying, ‘I just want to graduate.’
Whatever the aspiration, the goal or the dream there is one thing that’s required…breath. How quickly it can be snuffed out. How quickly our dreams can turn into nightmares when tragedy strikes.
I’ve had a lot of time to think about this over the past several weeks sitting here in front of my computer sharing the news of the day. Some stories make my heart leap with happiness; some – like the ones mentioned above – make my heart cry. And yet, in the midst of all this sadness and tragedy there’s a glimmer of hope. It’s found in the words of friends, even strangers, who offer their prayers and encouragement through visits, cards, phone calls and social media. It’s found in the donations given and fundraisers held to help families with mounting medical bills. It’s found in the faces of the people who line the hallways and fill up the waiting rooms at hospitals just waiting on news, any news, about their sick or injured friend. It’s found in the midnight escapades of young people who paint a rock to show their solidarity with an injured classmate.
Following a recent article we posted about a second high school senior being injured in a wreck one Now Habersham reader wrote, “What in the world is going on?” That’s a question I would venture to say we’re all asking today. The only answer I can come up with is “Life.” That’s what’s happening to us as individuals, neighbors, friends, family and as a community…Life.
How blessed I am to live my life in a community that cares. Where people still wave when you drive by, aren’t afraid to tell you they’re praying for you and openly share their gratitude and concern. Habersham County is a community. And though we don’t all know one another we are inextricably bound by geography and human compassion.
It’s sad when human tragedy strikes but it’s inspiring to see a community rally around its members in times of crisis. If you ask me, Habersham County has a lot going for it. We also have our challenges. Sure, we bicker and gripe about politics, taxes and neighbors – even our own family and friends – but at the end of the day we band together. We allow the pettiness of life to give way to what’s important in life; helping our loved ones and neighbors in need. And while we may not have the big city trappings of Atlanta, New York or London we have something I think is far greater, we have each other.
Thank you, Habersham, for reminding me of that. I pray it won’t take another tragedy to remind me again.
