Today I had set out to post all about our basement progress, to show pictures of our amazing tile we installed this weekend. I started writing the first sentence of the post probably a half dozen times, and each time deleted it. None of it seemed the slightest bit important or necessary in light of a tragic event that struck our family for the second time in months.
Yesterday, our oldest nephew Ben was killed in a hiking accident in Washington State. He and another boy (he was hiking with 3 others) were climbing a rock near a waterfall in the Snoqualmie National Forest (east of Seattle) when they both slipped and fell 100 feet. Both boys died. Of the two that survived, one stayed while the other ran over 5 miles for help- and once he reached help, he had to drive down the mountain to get into cell phone service range. Their bodies were recovered this morning.
I cannot begin to fathom the pain of losing a child. Ben had just graduated high school- he was only 18! My heart is breaking for Jon's sister and family, and also the family of the other boy, who was just 16 years old. It's amazing and sad at the same time to read their Facebook pages and see the impact they had on others. Please if you would, keep Jon's family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of Ben. I'll definitely be back soon with some happier notes!
14 comments:
I read about that this morning. So sorry for your family's loss. Prayers and virtual hugs!
Oh, Leslie - that is just heartbreaking. Praying for those boys' families.
Oh Leslie. I am so sorry. Praying for your family.
Leslie - I have tears streaming down my face as I read this - as you know, I am no stranger to how this feels. 6 months have passed since my Jonathan went to heaven and it hurts even more now that the numbness has worn off. My heart aches for the loss of these young lives - I ask God "WHY" over and over - maybe one day we will get an answer. I hope Jonathan was there at the gates of heaven to greet your nephew. I am keeping you and your family in my heart.
Oh I am so sorry. Many thoughts and prayers for you and your families.
Absolutely heartbreaking. I am so sorry for your family's loss. Praying.
What a horrible tragedy, I am so incredibly sorry. Ill be praying for you, your family, and all of the lives that this loss has impacted. I am so sorry.
Oh Leslie. How tragic. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Just terrible.
I'm incredibly sorry to hear this Leslie. I'm praying.
Oh man Leslie...I'm so sorry. Your family will be in my prayers.
Thinking and praying for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh, wow. :( Thinking of you and your extended family, L.
What? This is too sad to read, how terrible! Hiking? Only 18? You just never think that something like that could happen. I'm so sorry for you and Jon and his sister and their family, they'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I can't even imagine. So sad.
Oh my, how horrible. I am so sorry for the loss that your family has suffered. T&P's go out to the two boys and everyone that loved them.
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