Sombre Day
28 August 2008, 18:37
OK, so I’m a bit hormonal, but a couple of things happened today that made me quite reflective and sad.
First, one of Scout’s beloved carers at creche is leaving to go back to South Korea. I went along to the morning tea they had for her (parents were invited, although I was the only parent there which was a bit bloody awkward, but hell! carry on etc.!) and as I left gave Soo a big hug. Soo is very stoic, very humble, never makes a fuss, not a particularly genki type but obviously adores my daughter so I found this whole thing really quite hard. I got teary. And a bit embarassed. But I somehow think it was all very much appreciated.
Got home and continued my working day – come 4pm, I receive an email from my manager letting me know that one of my colleagues had died suddenly during a freak horse-riding accident. She had 3 young kids. Now, to tell the truth, she and I had never really gotten along – we used to work together quite closely and we just dealt with people differently, I suppose – nothing earth-shattering, I didn’t dislike her, but we were simply never going to be bosom-buddies. Over the years, as we ceased to need to work together we ceased fire and exchanged social civilities.
Her death really shook me. Not as a colleague. But as a mum. I felt devastated for her kids, for that there is no doubt, but I felt for her as a mum… sad that she’d never get to hold her kids again, that she’d never get to know them as teenagers (perhaps thankful for some), really really sad. A lot of it was selfish – putting my own trivialities into perspective and appreciating every single second I spent with my daughter – absorbing her laughter, laughing at her antics until the sad tears became happy ones.
Until tomorrow, of course, when life will no doubt get in the way again and I forget I ever had that insight.
Permanent Link | - When I was younger and the news would blurt out that “So and so many children were killed..” I’d not give it another thought. Being a parent makes you so much more reflective upon tragedy. Even if it is only for a day.
— Frugal Bastard Sep 4, 09:04 AM #
