Humans helping humans

Earlier this month there was a tragic accident in my town.  This accident did not involve me or anyone that I know, but in a sense it involved my whole world.  I am saying this because this accident involved a car full of teens; 2010 graduates from my son's high school.  Two of the teens died in this accident and I cannot get them or their families out of my mind.

My son will be going for his driving test next weekend; he turns 17 years old next month.  He will be entering his senior year of high school.  This accident has hit too close to home for me.  Bryan is amazingly responsible, but that doesn't stop me from saying before he leaves to go out with his friends things like, "think of the consequences of your actions" or "I love you and trust you", I even tend to get really corny with "hugs instead of drugs".  He generally laughs me off or has some smart reply.  I don't care if I say it a million and one times, as a parent of a teenager you can only do so much to protect your child. 

It was an early Saturday morning when their parents received that call.

The story has been printed all over the papers & online, countless flowers and memorabilia have been laid at the scene of the accident.  Every article states how well loved these boys were; they were lacrosse players, smart college students who were loved by the whole community.  My son did not know the boys, having just moved to the area a couple of year ago, but his friends did, and speak about how awesome these kids were to be around. 

During the next few days arrangements were made and it became known that one of the families have, like many of us right now, fallen on hard times financially; which made a couple of wonderful souls plan a fundraiser at the local Rita's Water Ice for the family to help with burial expenses. 
It is with this news and the thought that if this was to happen, God forbid, to my son I would be in the same situation.  I needed to help.  I needed to help right now.

I went to my bosses, co-owners of the company that I am employed at, Family Abstract, Inc./The Title Offices, and asked them to get behind me in collecting money and donating what we could to this family.  There was zero hesitation; between my two bosses & myself there are 5 teenage boys, the exact amount that were in the car that wretched night.  I immediately sent out an office wide email asking my co-workers to pitch in.
The fundraiser was scheduled for yesterday starting at 5 pm.  All day it was raining off-and-on, then about 3:30 pm the sun breaks out.  It was now hot & the perfect weather for water ice.  After work, I was able to drop off what I collected and what my bosses generously donated to the family and friends of this young man.

As I pulled up to this place that I have been to more times then I can count, my eyes filled.  I prayed to God that I just keep composed.  I ended up speaking to a mom of one of the best friends, she was so shocked and appreciative.  She was literally at a loss for words, all she could do was give me the biggest hugs I think I have ever received from anyone.  Many of the boy's friend's were working the fundraiser; all so polite and thankful, but all with sadness in their eyes.

Overwhelmed by the whole atmosphere, I walked to my car and wept.  I wept because I love my son so so much.  I wept because I love my son's friends so much that I trust them with Bryan's life every time he gets in a car with them .  I wept for the parents who had to bury their teenage sons.  I wept because I felt so blessed to have helped in anyway to lessen the burden of finances so that these people can properly grieve for their son.