Skip this - it's sad.

 

It was a normal weeknight. I opened my computer to Facebook and saw the posts "pray for these babies", "oh, sweet jesus pray".  I knew it was bad. I had no idea how bad.

A young lady was in an abusive situation. Her husband told her he was working out of town. She made arrangements with the father of her seven year old to help move her new baby, the little boy and herself out of the house. 

He did not go out of town. He came to the house where he shot and killed her first husband, shot his own baby three times in the head, shot the seven year old three times, and despite the pleas of the mother to just shot her, shot himself in the head.  The little boy was rushed to the hospital where he died. 

The community is devastated. Everyone has a connection to the family. My youngest daughter used to teach with the little boy's grandmother. She told me she is a mimi like me; was always planning activities with all her grandchildren. 

The young man that was killed was her son. He was lauded by all former classmates and co-workers. He was always willing to help anyone and coached all the teams that his little boy belonged to.  

And the baby. How could someone shoot their baby? 

Then last night was the Christmas parade in a nearby village. The parade started and the last few participants were getting ready to go. A truck went to pull forward and the brakes went out. He was able to steer away from hitting a float of children head-on but did hit the corner, then careened into another vehicle also pulling a float. A woman was caught in between vehicles and was life-flighted. One woman was transported with an arm injury. At least 15 children were evaluated at the scene, but were just "shaken up". The driver of the original truck is devastated; the state patrol have stated that preliminary investigation is showing a malfunction of the truck. 

The parade was cancelled, they did still have Santa available for children and lit the village tree. And said a prayer for everyone affected in this accident.  

It's been a rough week in these parts.