Midlife?
My niece texted me from college yesterday to let me know that three of her sorority sisters had been in a terrible accident. All three girls died in the accident. This tragedy happened on a Sunday afternoon as the two cars were traveling side by side down the freeway. The car in the right lane tried to merge left ahead of the girls, and though there was no contact between the vehicles, the girls lost control while trying to avoid hitting the merging car. Not only were these girls my niece’s sorority sisters, they were also my sorority sisters in Kappa Delta, albeit ages apart.
This shocking event made me really think about a recent article I wrote on midlife joy vs. midlife crisis. In the article, I was questioning what the midlife age is and why we associate it with crises instead of noting it as a wonderful time in our lives. It’s hard to realize that midlife for these girls was probably age 10 or 11. These types of life events remind me regularly that we never actually know when we are in midlife. The only thing we know for certain is this moment.
For the great majority of us, college life was largely a period of friendships and accomplishments that have left us with cherished memories. I’m sure the Kappa Deltas at Georgia Southern will always remember these girls, our sisters, and will be encouraged by this tragic event to carry the value of everyday moments into the rest of their lives. I have no doubt that this is what these young women would have wanted us to do.
In Memory of Melissa, Jessica and Jamie.
Click on "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
My niece texted me from college yesterday to let me know that three of her sorority sisters had been in a terrible accident. All three girls died in the accident. This tragedy happened on a Sunday afternoon as the two cars were traveling side by side down the freeway. The car in the right lane tried to merge left ahead of the girls, and though there was no contact between the vehicles, the girls lost control while trying to avoid hitting the merging car. Not only were these girls my niece’s sorority sisters, they were also my sorority sisters in Kappa Delta, albeit ages apart.
This shocking event made me really think about a recent article I wrote on midlife joy vs. midlife crisis. In the article, I was questioning what the midlife age is and why we associate it with crises instead of noting it as a wonderful time in our lives. It’s hard to realize that midlife for these girls was probably age 10 or 11. These types of life events remind me regularly that we never actually know when we are in midlife. The only thing we know for certain is this moment.
For the great majority of us, college life was largely a period of friendships and accomplishments that have left us with cherished memories. I’m sure the Kappa Deltas at Georgia Southern will always remember these girls, our sisters, and will be encouraged by this tragic event to carry the value of everyday moments into the rest of their lives. I have no doubt that this is what these young women would have wanted us to do.
In Memory of Melissa, Jessica and Jamie.
Click on "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
3 comments:
I,too, was saddened by the tragic loss of 2 young girls lives in the recent auto accident. Reading your comments about it brought it back to me vividly with tears.
Your post about it as well as the other posted items on your site was encouraging. I draw upon your words of encouragement and am impressed by your approach to your own life; you have so much to offer and I for one will continue to read the posts at your TYJ site. I have bookmarked it.
Your writing has a happy tone to it
and I'm glad you are enjoying your
journey.
As the mother of three daughters, my heart goes out to the families of these young women.I can not imagine the pain they must be feeling. Beth, thanks for your comments they are inspirational and thought provoking.
How very sad that stories often have to be tragic to wake people up. I find that we all just want to FEEL again - but the only thing that breaks through the hardened hearts are stories like these (our prayers are with the families and friends of these girls). That's how I often see MIDLIFE - a middle ground where assessments take place - if one has allowed a portion of one's SELF to be hardened - they will react as if in a crisis "What's it all for?" - If one is lucky to have that pliable heart - one will see it as a well-accomplished middle ground of the glory that is still to come.
Post a Comment