3rd Grade Is Too Young to Die
Read more articles on Life's Nuances and Let Me Share With You.January 4, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
January 4, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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Yesterday was one of those days when I drove around with tears in my eyes.
Earlier, I had received an email from a friend who told me that a child who had attended the preschool where I taught had died. The sudden news was understandably horrible.
Actually, Noah was not in my class, but his sister, Sarah, was one of my favorite students. I knew the boy, though, and saw him daily before he graduated to kindergarten a few years back. Since his father was the president of the Temple in which the school was located, Noah would come with him occasionally while dad attended to business. He was one of those kids who was exceptional-nice, polite, smart, fun-and since Sarah was the same way, that family seemed perfect.
Well, last fall I heard that Noah had acquired a virus and had fallen into a coma. It was shocking news, but no one ever seemed to have any more information…until yesterday.
I don’t have any facts, and not belonging to that school or temple any longer, I probably won’t get any for some time, if ever. But, really, does it matter? The bottom line is that a young life was taken, and there will never be any sense in that.
Our local newspaper’s web site has an obituary link that allows guests to leave messages for the family. I started reading the first two or three of the many pages they already have. There were many from Noah’s classmates and friends, as well as from his parents’ co-workers, neighbors and even folks that do not even know them personally. However, I had to stop when I reached the one Noah’s father had written.
It spoke about his bravery in fighting, and about his dad would take care of his sister and mom, just as he would have wanted. Dad also said he can’t wait to be reunited with him once again.
My heartfelt condolences will go out to this family within the next few days, and they also go out to anyone reading this that has ever lost a child. No parent should ever have to write a goodbye letter like that.
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Karen, this really struck a chord with me. When I was in third grade, one of my close friends died in a snowmobiling accident. To this day, I think of him all the time…and it’s been almost 20 years!
I’m so sorry for this family for the pain of losing their child. And thank you for writing about it here and sharing the little boy’s story.
You’re welcome, Tiffany. It is amazing that the experience from your past has stuck with you all these years; I’m sure it will be the same for Noah’s friends.
Thanks for commenting; how are things in Texas? We miss reading your posts!
Karen