Our lives are a series of hellos and goodbyes strung together by fleeting moments some of which we presently carry with us…some of which only surface when prompted. Neither the hellos nor goodbyes are always within our control, some being forced upon us when we least expect it. Either way, it is the tiny moments, those when we make a split second decision, those when we choose right from wrong that hold the lessons we must each learn. We all have that little voice in our head that suggests we take the right path, make the right choice. How often do we tune it out, justify our decision and our actions, drown out the voice of reason in that single moment in time?
Some moments are an individual lesson simply for one. Other moments may impact larger numbers as the lesson is shared time and again.
This is one of those moments I hope will leave an indelible imprint on your very soul. It is a lesson I yearn for each of you to share because the more it is shared the bigger impact it will undoubtedly have.
A day like any other, a man and a woman, their eight month old daughter, a bus driver, a cell phone, a fleeting moment, a poor choice. A driver on his cell phone, a bus losing control, a lamppost knocked over onto a baby stroller. A mother’s desperate screams reaching twenty stories high, a police officer attempting to save a child’s life when no amount of training could have truly prepared him for that moment. A series of domino effects that began with one man’s choice to ignore the voice of reason and ended with a mother helplessly watching her baby die before her very eyes.
I attended high school with the baby’s father, but the truth of the matter is it could be any one of us, any one of our family members, friends, colleagues or a complete stranger. The fact that an eight month old little girl’s short life came to an abrupt end because someone chose their cell phone over safety is devastating. The fact that these parents’ worst nightmare became a reality on a day like any other that started with their sweet baby girl waking them with her precious smile breaks my heart.
I’ve always said if ever any piece of my writing touches at least one person out there, causes someone to think or see things from a different perspective, then I have done something right. Please share this story with everyone you know. We have all been guilty at some point of being distracted while we are driving whether it’s a cell phone, a radio station, a child in the back seat. This baby’s father said it best when he said, “It can wait” in a plea to all distracted drivers.
Help me spread this message. You never know whose life it might save.
It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind. It’s what you leave behind when you go.
Related Articles:
LITTLE MISS WORDY 
Oh how devastating. My thoughts are with the family. We lost our daughter and the pain is unbearable.
LikeLike
I can’t begin to imagine such pain. My heart hurts for your loss, for this family’s loss, and all the parents who have experienced the loss of a child.
LikeLike
such a tragedy
thanks for the important reminder to us all
it can wait
LikeLike
Yes, it can definitely wait. None of us are so important that we need to be connected at all times. Thank you for reading. I hope you’ll share it with others.
LikeLike
Thanks for keeping us all in check.
LikeLike
I hope we all remember this sweet family whenever we are tempted by a distraction while driving.
LikeLike
What a terribly sad story. Thank you for sharing and I hope it saves someone’s life.
LikeLike
I hope so too. If it makes just one person choose safety over their phone, then this post was successful.
LikeLike
I am so very sorry for this family. Prayers for them all because I don’t know how they will get through this without love upon love being heaped upon them, or better yet, carry them through. So many think “it won’t hurt to just look”, yes it does.
LikeLike
Hundreds showed up to the funeral including complete strangers. I hope they continue to be lifted in prayer and feel the love surrounding them. I can’t imagine being in their shoes and facing each morning. Even a peek is not worth the risk.
LikeLike
Not worth it at all Little Miss Wordy. I will continue to life them up in my prayers.
LikeLike
I couldn’t agree more. This is such an important issue. Have you heard about this new documentary about texting and driving? It’s tough to watch. But the message is critical. http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/09/werner_herzog_texting_while_driving_documentary_from_one_second_to_the_next.html
LikeLike
It seems so many of us think we are above it all, and something like this won’t happen to us because we are better drivers or we can multitasking better, etc. It’s not worth the risk. In a split second everything can change. I just saw this documentary last night. Heartbreaking and eye opening.
LikeLike
What a devastating story! Well done for helping humans remember that phones are not to be used while driving! =^.^=
LikeLike
It is a tragedy. I hope as much as this post is being shared that it serves as a vital reminder to many.
LikeLike
Oh Leah, you are definitely being used as a mouthpiece on this issue. Texting and driving do not mix. Ever. My prayers will be lifted for this grieving mother and father.
LikeLike
It is a reminder we can’t hear too often. We have all been distracted at some point behind the wheel, but we can avoid tragedy like this by taking necessary measures to limit those distractions.
LikeLike
When…when will people learn that it’s just not worth it? How many innocent lives have to be taken before that happens? Thanks for sharing. This is so terribly sad. 😦
LikeLike
Exactly. It’s sad enough when someone dies. Sadder still when it is a baby. Saddest when it could have been avoided.
LikeLike
Well done you for sharing this. It’s so important!
LikeLike
I try very hard to do what’s right in life. I don’t like the guilt if I purposely make bad decisions
LikeLike
I can’t imagine the guilt that bus driver is feeling.
LikeLike
So sad x
LikeLike
Heartwrenching especially because it could have been avoided.
LikeLike
Yes, it can wait. Great message driven by horrible circumstance.
LikeLike
If it reaches just one person who chooses to set their phone down, my work here is done.
LikeLike
That’s really sad.
LikeLike
It is and so unnecessary. No call or text message is that important.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on KingMidget's Ramblings and commented:
Read this post and put your phone away.
LikeLike
Can’t click on the “Like” Button, but I like the message you’re trying to spread — using such a horrible, horrible example.
I’ve started bicycling again after an injury ended my running. I go for 1-2 hour rides on country roads near where I live. Not a one goes by where I don’t think, I’m dancing on the edge, just hoping that the cars coming up behind me aren’t occupied by a distracted driver. It’s a scary world out there when people won’t put their phones away.
LikeLike
Be safe out there!
LikeLike