I young couple, 25 and 22, died in a car accident this week. They were with their 7 week old baby, Ysa. She survived.
My mum's mum died when my mum was 6.
I can't stop thinking about those angel mothers who watch their children grow from another world, another realm. Desolate. Desperate. Heart broken. It's an undeniabley cruel world that this could ever happen.
My mother always protected us from anything & everything bad, sad or mad. If our father was in a hungover rage, we were shuffled away to safety. I remember being 7 or 8 and my mum boldy standing between my angry, foaming at the mouth father and me. I though she was being brave, however in retrospect, perhaps she was pleading with him to settle, in an effort to avoid the possibility of me ever growing up.
We were not allowed to watch scary movies.In fact, I don't think I ever knew they existed (until I had a sleepover down the street and we watched "Watchers in the Woods"... shudder). A famous family story is that my mum turned of the Sound of Music when Von Trap and Maria say "I Do". My sisters discovered as teenagers that another 45 minutes of hardship and Nazi rule waged war on the sugar plums dancing in our heads. We never talked about politics, unplanned pregnancies, empty bank accounts or suicide. All of which played major roles in my parents life.
I sort of get why she did that now. She was protecting our hearts from breaking. My heart is totally broken for the family of Ysa. Even worse, they do not know if that poor sweet innocent baby is going to have any long term brain damage from the crash. I read that she is still in ICU and is not eating... (I swear I had let down upon reading that, even 2 months after I stopped breasfeeding!!). I ache for that precious babe who will always long for her parents.
I know all to well the feeling of wishing & longing for someone. At least I got 14 years with my dad. I also am lucky to have clear memories, his nose, and my daughter; who reminds me of him every time she stands still and points to the plane that is flying by.
