I spent yesterday evening at the Clarksburg High School football game, with the family of the boy killed by the train in Boyds, MD on Monday. The game was played in honor of John John, and there was a tremendous outpouring of love and support by the school and the community.
The family has seen how much their son was loved by his classmates, and are celebrating his amazing life, rather than thinking about his horrible and untimely death. I was astonished how much the parents had healed in just four days, and how well they were doing. A true miracle.
Clarksburg won the game 47-12 in a blowout against Bethesda Chevy Chase. Tonight there will be a memorial service at Grandma’s house by the lake. About 1,000 people are expected to attend. I will spend the morning cycling along the B&O Canal, and the afternoon preparing the house for the ceremony.
And when the celebration of his life is over????? They will be alone again and without him. I sincerely hope your right about their healing but suspect that for them the hardest time is yet to come.
Please make sure they know those here on your blog send their condolences and best wishes.
As RAH, said the worst is yet to come. If you can, make sure someone visits every few days for the next 6 months or so to keep an eye on them. I did this for my Father after Mom died. Drove from Boston to Atlantic City every weekend and also made sure others were around as support during the week.
Ditto
Grief counseling can be helpful.
Losing a child is such a terrible grief. We are old and want to go first! I lost my oldest son two years ago; and at that time a friend told me, “You never get over it.” She is my -makes me laugh
– friend, and I said, “Thanks a lot!” However, having “done” devastating grief before ( losing my husband young from a heart attack) , I do know that the first year is the most difficult. After that when all of the special holidays, the birthday have been endured/survived, then it gets more tolerable and not so ever present. We all do wish the family peace and strength. Their family, the friends and community will be a strong support.
Prayers and love to the family in this time of loss.