Day 19: Gave Away a Car Seat

Facebook. All I did was check my news feed.

The ball started rolling on Sunday. A friend was on Folly Beach enjoying the sunshine with her daughters. The smart phone picture was of a smiling mama and baby with blue skies and sand. Checking back later, there were words of concern, something like, “I hope you’re not trapped in traffic because of the accident.” And then “I heard traffic is backed up for hours on and off the island.” My friend and her daughters were home safe, but yes, they’d heard there were several cars involved. Several cars. The evening news showed cars crumpled, flashing lights, paramedics, an amazing contrast to the happy images smiling from Facebook. Two fatalities. Six other people, including children, sent to the hospital.

I checked Facebook again that night. A new status update was distraught and sad. You see, one of the deaths was the husband of my friend’s friend. He was 33 and and left behind two young children close Julia’s and Maxwell’s ages. My stomach was tight and hands sweaty. Heartbreaking. Unimaginable. So heavy. I don’t know the family, but I gave them all the healing thoughts and prayers that I could send.

There was a call to action this afternoon when I checked Facebook again. The family needed car seats to replace the two in the wrecked car. And in a moment my stomach loosened, shoulders relaxed because I could help. I could do something productive. I could help! Max outgrew his baby car seat this month. It has been in the garage for less than a week. Today I gave it to this family (by way of our mutual friend).

My car seat won’t bring their father and husband back. But maybe my car seat will bring her peace of mind when she drives their children home from the hospital. And maybe it will make her feel that her children are safely buckled when she pulls out of her driveway the next time. And I hope that sense of peace helps her begin to heal.