Dear Parents,
Hug your children a little tighter today. There are parents in pain because they lost their son this morning.
I was taking my boys to school and came upon an accident seconds after it happened. Quick assessment of the scene: woman in the street on her phone, bus coming out of a neighborhood on my left, one car in front of me. Around that car, I could see someone’s feet. The way the person was lying there, I knew it was bad. No one had gone to help, even though there were people at the scene.
I parked the car, grabbed a blanket from my trunk, told my boys to stay in the car, and headed over. It was a little boy, not much older than Dominic. He was lying facedown and his shoes had been knocked off. He was wearing shorts on this very cold morning. I covered his legs and body with the blanket.
The woman who hit him was on the phone with 911. She was screaming and crying — begging me to find a pulse. His wrists were cold. I couldn’t find any movement. He was wearing two hoodies, and I tried to get my fingers under them to feel his neck. His neck was warm. I thought maybe I felt a faint pulse. I couldn’t be sure. His left hand had some skin missing but he wasn’t bleeding.
The other people at the scene came over. A neighbor ran up and asked if we knew who he was. None of us did. We didn’t want to turn him over to see his face because we didn’t want to hurt him more. The lady checked the backpack he was wearing and got his name off his school papers. I saw a math book. A green notebook. She said his name: Joshua Powell. She went to find his parents.
I rubbed his cold hand as we waited for the emergency responders. I knew he might already be gone but I asked him to hold on just in case.
The fire truck was the first to arrive. They took over. The police and paramedics were next.
There was nothing else for me to do but go back to the car. My poor boys were in shock. I gave them each a hug and a kiss and told them what I saw. What I knew. What I thought. We cried a little together.
Joshua died before he even got to the hospital. My heart hurts for his family and the lady who hit him. They will never be the same. Neither will I.
Give your children a little extra squeeze for me. Say it’s for Joshua.
Love to you all,
Beth
My heart is broken. Children along that area have been known to run out in the streets in the Lorne’s while waiting for their bus. I have witness kids pushing each other into the streets- they think it’s a game. Unfortunately , it’s real life and with it comes real death. Each of us has a reason and a purpose here on earth. I hope many children will find their purpose in Joshua’s honor .
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This so heart breaking on so many levels.
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So very sad!!!! I personally know “that life can turn on a dime” after what happened to my parents in a public park 16 years ago. (my Mom)
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Yes, you know too well. And nothing is ever the same.
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I am so proud of you honey. You did every thing right. You are so right about loving your friends and family. You never know when God will call them away.
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That is so tough. Kudos to you for reacting to the situation and not just passing by.
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