If you've ever had children you will understand
By Grandmaof2
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
Canada
March 4, 2008 5:31am CST
If you've had your own children I expect you'll understand me. A most terrible thing happened and I can not clear my head of it. A family was at superstore shopping and the dad left the store with his three year old leaving the wife to pay for the groceries. On the way out the dad and little girl were met by a friend, the dad stopped to say hello and the little girl ran ahead just far enough and slipped on ice causing her to be ran over by someone in a truck. The three year old had already passed away before ever getting to the hospital. My daughter called me tonight as she always does telling me that a memorial was set up at the store and people were leaaving cards. I had such a good feeling in my heart knowing my daughter had purchased a card and left it there for the family even though we do not know the people and I felt even better knowing she told me she had said prayers for this little girl. I thought that would help me sleep but NO here it is 4:30 am and I keep thinking how that could be any one of us. Stop and think no matter how good a parent you are have your children never started accross a road or parking lot without you having to tell them to stop. This is a case where it could happen to anyone really. It's sad it took this for a wake up call but it did something to me. Without my kids I'd be nothing...I hope no one has to go through this. Thanks for listening.
24 people like this
40 responses
@weemam (13372)
•
4 Mar 08
OMG what a terrible think to happen pal , The poor father too will be blaming himself , It doesn't matter how careful we are accidents do happen , I see young people every day walking on the pavements with their children walking beside them nearest the road , I feel like shouting to them that the child should be walking to the inside away from the traffic , one little slip and they could be away , I think as a mother when these things happen we can't help but think how easily it could have been our children , my heart goes out to that poor child and her poor parents xx
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
5 Mar 08
oh my gosh! that was so heart wrenching. It does make you stop and think when you have children about stuff like that. I am always so careful about everything, especially with my two year old because in one split second something horrifying like this story could happen and i would be absolutely devestated. I have three children and i couldn't imagine anything happening to any of them. they are my life and i love them so much. they are a part of me that can never be taken away. i'm so glad that your daughter got a card for the memorial. it shows great care and compassion on her part. i'm glad you were able to share and get it off your chest here on mylot. i know that had to be a tragic experience for you, even though it wasn't you it happened to. God bless
@SViswan (12051)
• India
5 Mar 08
This is exactly what I am always scared of.I have a 7 year old and a one year old. And I always make sure I hold onto them when I am outside.
But what you said in your post could happen to anybody. I can't even imagine how the family must be feeling. I've had close calls with my older son even when I have been careful. I really feel for the family (though I do not know them).
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
Oh gosh, that is horrible.. I dunno what i would do if that was my child.. I dont know that i would be able to go on. I feel bad for the parents. I think if it was me, even though nothing could have been done to prevent this from happening, i would still blame myself and think IF ONLY, i had been more carefull, IF ONLY, she had stayed in the store. Oh my.. I wish tragedies like this didnt happen to any family..
1 person likes this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
Yes that's the hell of it, these people have suffered enough but you would always blame and feel responsible. You're right. I can not Thank Everyone enough for the prayers and care taken with their children. Thank You Everyone!!!
2 people like this
@shymurl (2765)
• United States
4 Mar 08
I couldn't imagine. I couldn't live without my children. Mine are 10, 8, and 2. The two year old is always in a cart. my other two are old enough to know better, but i'm still constantly reminding them, be careful, watch for cars, don't run out. You can never be to careful. That poor family.
1 person likes this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
Yes that's right you can never be too careful. Sadly though this is a situation where it could happen to any parent or grandparent. This was not a case of child neglect or abuse just a very unfortunate accident that could have happened to any of us. You're right that poor family.
2 people like this
@74doris (7)
• United States
5 Mar 08
Having my own children I do understand. Actually I was at the bus stop today with my grandsons and just as the bus arrived my grandson ran out in front of it while I screamed at him to stop. Fortunately the driver was able to stop on time. I cannot imagine how that father and the driver of that truck must feel. I just know how I felt seeing my grandson running in front of that bus. In a second your life can change forever. My thoughts are with that family and their loss.
@pumpkinjam (8763)
• United Kingdom
5 Mar 08
I have two sons age 2 and 8 and of course hope I never have to go through anything like that. My children are very good and will not usually run off from me but it doens'rt matter how good a parent you are because toddlers can run very quickly without you being able to act until it's too late. My 8 year old is capable of crossing a road safely by himself but that of course doesn't stop people driving badly so it's still a tragic possibility that something like that could happen because of someone elses negligence and carelessness.
My two year old has only once ran towards a road. I was quick enough to catch him but if I had been only a second slower, he could have gone into the road. He didn't do it on purpose. We had been walking through a park where he could run in front. The road is very close to the park gate so he was still running.
That girl and her parents weren't so lucky and it is terrible that these things can happen. Although, not meaning to be horrible, I would have kept a much closer eye on my kids if I knew there was ice about and they would have held my hand.
1 person likes this
@mansha (6298)
• India
17 Mar 08
Oh! no thats so unfair. I have kids too and I am always on my toes running after them. The moment I read this , The only thought that came to me that could have been my girl. Poor mother and father, I hope they get through this pain. Last year we had a similar case in our city the child was five year old and was riding the bicycle with the servant who was bringing him home from the school. Suddenly the cycle got imbalanced for some reason and the child fell towards the road while servant fell on the pavement. The child's head got crushed under the bus coming from behind. The mother kept screaming just bring me back my son and I will never send him to school ever. We couldn't console her in anyway. I still shiver when I remember that day. I will just pray for that family and if you ever happen to meet them tell them the God needed their angel perhaps hence he called her away.
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
Oh gosh that poor family. I cannot even imagine what they are going through. Yes, I have always been very unhappy and never found a purpose to live until I had to my kids to be honest. I know this sounds extreme but if anything happens to my kids, something will happen to me too. Without my kids, my life would be worthless.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
5 Mar 08
I felt terrible when I read this and can understand how you would have been sleepless .I have no words to express what I feel.My brother passed away at the age of seventeen [ as a pillion rider in a scooter] and ever since this two wheeler stuff has almost been a phobia with me.It took very long for me to get over my fear and I used to accompany my son to his school[he had to cross a densely traffickked /disorganized road].One day one of my friends told me that I should not have such phobias and just place faith in God and allow him to cycle etc.., After that I got over it .He used to cycle long distances and go to college by cycle. But I feel terrible for the father .He would feel myGOD terribly miserable! My prayers are with the girl and the father.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
13 Mar 08
That is such a sad story. We hear it on the news daily and sometimes close to home. Losing a child has to be one of the greatest pains there can be. Anytime I hear a story like this, it affects me. Losing one of my children is perhaps the one thing in life that I don't think I could handle. My heart goes out to families that are forced to face such a loss.
@alamode (3071)
• United States
4 Mar 08
Thats such a horrible thing to have happen, and you should talk it out and clear your mind... it raises so many fears and memories in us! Just realize that you've done well by your family... they call them 'accidents' because they just happen, and nothing can stop them. And they happen to everyone, so keep counting your blessings, and let your family and friends know every day how much you love them.
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
Well said Thank You. I had spent the day with my granddaughter who is about the same age as the little girl was and it just left me sick. We were OK and while this was happening I was at McDonalds with my little granddaughter at a Birthday party because my grandson was off to a hockey game with his mom and dad. I have Thanked God so many times for my own blessings and that of others. This really could have happened to any one of us. What a tragic ending to bring awareness to all of us.
2 people like this
@livintx49 (245)
• United States
4 Mar 08
I'm sad for this family. I have three grown boys and I'm like you without them I'd be nothing.Sometimes I thought I was a jailer-you know keeping them all close.When I have my grandkids I still do it.
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
I guess we just don't know when it's our turn.
1 person likes this
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
4 Mar 08
This is one of my biggest fears as a parent...there are so many times I see kids almost get run over and it makes me feel sick to my stomach. My own son has done this a few times and everytime I get so mad when he does it.
It must be so very hard for those parents...I don't think I could live with myself if I lost one of my kids at such a young age...that would be enough to push me over the deep end...I would be forever haunted by everytime I yelled at the kids, lost my patience, or felt like doing something for me instead of them.
It is hard to fathom God's plans when a child leaves the world so early...I believe in everything being part of a plan, meant to happen...but just thinking about this is making my tears well up a bit...
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
6 Mar 08
that was a tragic one i guess..i never let my children let go of my hand if even i had to accidentally meet friends on the way out..even in department store im always like that..or even if i let go i see to it that i will not be distracted and focus my attention to my child..that what i always do...since ive seen movies like that ..and it makes me aware of the consequences ...
@carmella (496)
• United States
6 Mar 08
This is so very sad! I have 8 children myself, and if anything happened to one of them, I would be so lost, and totally heartbroken! I hope you have been able to get some sleep. I know how these things can haunt a person. Try to not let it get you down too bad. Prayers are always a really big help too!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
6 Mar 08
That is such sad and tragic story to have happened to that family. That is the one thing that I am always scared that might happen with my son. My husband thinks I overreact when I am constantly having him to walk with me across the road, hold my hand and so forth. He thinks I should just let him be as he knows what is right from wrong. But kids are kids, and they do take off without even thinking and things like this do happen.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
13 Mar 08
oh how very tragic, little ones can dart in the blink of an eye. I always worried about such things as my husband does not seem to be very attentive to such possibilities, I guess he lacks that maternal instinct.
A friend's daughter at 18 mos old darted out of the house and ran up to the Utility truck by the passenger door and the father backed up , the daughter was caught under the front tire and she was run over at the head. the poor father was absolutely crushed, it was a true accident.
@gbolly54 (661)
• Nigeria
7 Mar 08
Oh, Grandmaof2, sorry about that. It was such a harrowing and pathetic experience. Everything originates from and belongs to God. Everybody has his/her own destiny, so we can't query God for whatever happens to us. May God console you people, and continue to take good control of the situation.
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
5 Mar 08
The worst part seems to be that the truck was going too fast! The speed limit in a parking lot is usually 5 miles per hour! It is even less if there is ice and snow on the ground! We are all taking our lives in our hands these days, when a ll we are trying to do is cross the street or parking lot! I think as parents and grandparents, we need to have a major protest in order to get the government and the police to start doing something about the massive violations of pedestrian safety laws! I was actually told by a police officer last year, that they do not enforce crosswalk violations because it does not bring in enough money! The fine is not high enough to make police officers enforce the law, or to get through to drivers that they need to stop at crosswalks, including in front of grocery stores and schools, in parking lots, and to drive a lot slower when ice and snow are on the road!
