But for the grace of God ....

What should we do? In the aftermath of the horrific crash on Wentworth Rd. that claimed four lives last week, what words and actions are possible to assuage the grief, address the matter and enable the community to begin to heal?

Funerals on the weekend and throughout this week have allowed families and friends to grieve and say goodbye, but as necessary as the process is, we are certain there is no easy way.

How can people cope with loss as sudden, unexpected and tragic as this? ‘What if?’ becomes a persistent refrain and regrets are unavoidable: so many things left unsaid, so many hopes shattered.

There are some who will blame one thing or another for the circumstances surrounding the crash, but what does that serve? Better instead to comfort those left behind and help them to manage their undeniable loss than to point fingers.

Indeed, getting ‘air’ on the Wentworth Rd. has been a dangerous pastime for decades, a rite of passage perhaps that challenges prudence and celebrates the invincibility of youth.

Few can say they haven’t tested their abilities in similar fashion during their salad days. No matter the generation, sometimes young people eschew common sense to tempt fate, push their limits and press their luck. Often there is no consequence, though fate and misfortune combine on occasion to create a nexus of wrong place/wrong time. The outcome is familiar, unfortunate and devastating.

This is the paradox of violent and sudden death on our roads and highways; a baffling mix of caprice and bad luck beyond reckoning. It’s difficult to comprehend and creates confusion that’s hard to resolve. One question lingers: why?

In the end, what’s left is an ineluctable sense of loss: of youthful potential that will never reach maturity and a wealth of experience in those senior citizens taken.

We trust the families will find comfort, strength and support in the response to this tragedy. We acknowledge, too, that accidents will happen – thus has it ever been such - but the grief that accompanies a personal trial such as this can and should be a shared responsibility.

Our hearts go out to those who struggle mightily and hope they know the entire community understands the loss and shares their sorrow.