Richard K
06-04-2006, 03:35 PM
The weeks in early June encompass most High School graduations. Often we hear of tragic consequences of some event gone awry. We are informed by news of the day usualy involving a stranger and a location far away.
My daughter Annie's last day of school was Friday June 2. The day would be topped off by a number of Senior Class parties.
Our phone rang at 9:20 PM. A friend of Annie's called to tell us that Annie had a serious accident. My wife Kerri and I raced to the scence, about 10 blocks from our home in the city park. I arrive seconds behind the rescue squad. The scene I am presented with is frightening. Twilight is fading, the night has begun. I see the Chev Suburban Annie was driving ahead of me about 100 feet. It is upside down and partially off the street up a slight embankment, the headlites are shining up into the trees. Police cars seem to be everywhere, the flashing emergency lights creating a chaotic and erie lightshow. Many people, unrecognizable because of the settling darkness, are quickly assembling across the street, the Paramedics are scrambling out of their truck, the turn signal on Annie's car is blinking, a devilish sort of countdown. My eyes spin back to the crash, where is Annie? There she is, lying on her back, in the dirt and grass behind the curb. Motionless!!
I race toward her! As I get near to my beloved Annie, her eyes move to me. Thank God! A trip to the trauma center follows and after many hours and CAT scans and Xrays and tests Annie has only a broken collar bone, scrapes and bruises. God was certainly watching over our family.
Anni's car was the only vehicle involved, She made a poor choice to pass another student's car at a high rate of speed. She lost control. .................5-6 seconds............. "I thought I was going to Die!".
After we arrived at home, near daybreak, the time was right to pray, thank God and reflect on our good fortune. To bring meaning to all that had happend I wrote the following:
A Graduation Prayer
For Annie and Annie's Friends
Dear Lord, with thankful hearts we praise you.
You have given us the blessing of beautiful children. Children we love and cherish. We watch our children lying in their cribs and at play in our neighborhoods. We are awed by your creation. We are proud parents when they climb on the kindergarten bus and wave goodbye. We are overjoyed to see their smiles at days end. We love and care for them and dream of them as adults and ourselves as Grandparents. We trust in your unwavering love to guide and sustain us, parents and children alike. Our children spread their wings and venture out from the safety of our homes and yards. We parents pray that your watchful eye is always upon our children. Hope, love, and trust are our only assurances that our offspring are safe.
This time of the young adults life, the graduation season, offers many choices and chances for new experiences and the urge to dash out into the world, finally on their own! Parents cringe, worry and advise. We offer our children a frantic last parental epistle to ensure ourselves we have completed the task God has given us eighteen years to accomplish.
Thank you Lord for your abundant Grace! Bless the Graduates, our friends and families. Guide them and keep them safe from harm. Let us be yours forever in Jesus name’, Amen.
My daughter Annie's last day of school was Friday June 2. The day would be topped off by a number of Senior Class parties.
Our phone rang at 9:20 PM. A friend of Annie's called to tell us that Annie had a serious accident. My wife Kerri and I raced to the scence, about 10 blocks from our home in the city park. I arrive seconds behind the rescue squad. The scene I am presented with is frightening. Twilight is fading, the night has begun. I see the Chev Suburban Annie was driving ahead of me about 100 feet. It is upside down and partially off the street up a slight embankment, the headlites are shining up into the trees. Police cars seem to be everywhere, the flashing emergency lights creating a chaotic and erie lightshow. Many people, unrecognizable because of the settling darkness, are quickly assembling across the street, the Paramedics are scrambling out of their truck, the turn signal on Annie's car is blinking, a devilish sort of countdown. My eyes spin back to the crash, where is Annie? There she is, lying on her back, in the dirt and grass behind the curb. Motionless!!
I race toward her! As I get near to my beloved Annie, her eyes move to me. Thank God! A trip to the trauma center follows and after many hours and CAT scans and Xrays and tests Annie has only a broken collar bone, scrapes and bruises. God was certainly watching over our family.
Anni's car was the only vehicle involved, She made a poor choice to pass another student's car at a high rate of speed. She lost control. .................5-6 seconds............. "I thought I was going to Die!".
After we arrived at home, near daybreak, the time was right to pray, thank God and reflect on our good fortune. To bring meaning to all that had happend I wrote the following:
A Graduation Prayer
For Annie and Annie's Friends
Dear Lord, with thankful hearts we praise you.
You have given us the blessing of beautiful children. Children we love and cherish. We watch our children lying in their cribs and at play in our neighborhoods. We are awed by your creation. We are proud parents when they climb on the kindergarten bus and wave goodbye. We are overjoyed to see their smiles at days end. We love and care for them and dream of them as adults and ourselves as Grandparents. We trust in your unwavering love to guide and sustain us, parents and children alike. Our children spread their wings and venture out from the safety of our homes and yards. We parents pray that your watchful eye is always upon our children. Hope, love, and trust are our only assurances that our offspring are safe.
This time of the young adults life, the graduation season, offers many choices and chances for new experiences and the urge to dash out into the world, finally on their own! Parents cringe, worry and advise. We offer our children a frantic last parental epistle to ensure ourselves we have completed the task God has given us eighteen years to accomplish.
Thank you Lord for your abundant Grace! Bless the Graduates, our friends and families. Guide them and keep them safe from harm. Let us be yours forever in Jesus name’, Amen.