It's rare that I have nothing to say. It feels weird for me not be able to come up with enough words to comfort someone. But with something like a horrible accident involving a child, there is just nothing that I can say. I've said the obligatory, "I'm so sorry this happened. Sending positive thoughts your way." But that doesn't adequately do anything. I guess it lets the parents know that people care, which is important, but it doesn't change anything.
Saying sorry does not change the fact that their child, while technically "alive" may be a vegetable for the rest of his life. It doesn't honor who that child was in the 6 years that he lived a happy, normal life. It does not help his brothers, the ones who led him to the ditch, deal with a tragedy that they know could have been helped if they hadn't run off with him. It does nothing.
Living over one hundred miles from this tragedy inhibits my ability to do anything and it kills me. I have known these people for almost ten years. Though we were never the best of friends, we would have been if not for outside intervention of a gossipy kind. I can't help but feel pathetic as I search for some kind of comfort for these people that I have known for so long, but never had the pleasure to really learn about.
I have met this child, I knew him before he was born. I knew him when he was nothing more than cells and morning sickness. But now, as people do when something tragic happens to a person they don't know well enough, I wish I could have known him better. I wish I could have seen his light, his childhood wonder at everything new.
This 6 year old little boy means everything to his family, as he should. And it breaks my heart to know that they have a long, hard road ahead of them at best, and the worst decision a parent should ever have to make at worst.
We love you, Gage, even those of us who didn't know you well. We all hope and/or pray for a miracle, one I have seen before. Keep trying to reach for the nurses and your parents. Keep fighting to get out of the dark. You have so much to live for, little one. So many people who love you. Every last person will understand if you let go, but we all hope you keep fighting. Beautiful little boy, we are all sorry that this happened, and would all take it back if we could, protect you if there had been any possibility of doing such.
Again Gage, we love you so much, and hope you can fight hard. We all just want to see you smile again. And to your parents, you always do your best. Keep smiling for him, never for us.
