In the middle of our small town today there sits a crashed car. From the front, it looks like scrap metal. That's where JC hit the tree, when he hydroplaned while driving much too fast on a rainy night in January.
Taped to the window is a copy of a speeding citation JC had been given just two weeks before he met the tree head on. He had been clocked at 99 MPH, in a 35 mph zone.
JC's mom took his car away from him for two weeks as a result of his ticket. On the very day he got it back, on his first trip in it, he died.
When he didn't return home that afternoon at his designated time, JC's mom went looking for him. She knew as soon as she saw the blue lights, one mile from her home, that it was probaby him, and it's too bad she was right.
JC was 16. He was a good Christian athlete, a very good son who loved his family and his friends. He was an award winning wrestler, and a honor roll student. He had a childhood accident with a lawn mower which had left him with an artificial leg, but he never let that stand in the way of his dreams. He wasn't handicapped, he felt, he was "gifted". He used to come to the BMX track and watch his friends race. Although he had not mastered riding a bicycle enough yet to race, he was happy to cheer them on and help them off the track. He was an amazing person and a joy to be around. He didn't break most rules, but he liked to drive too fast.
And then, just yesterday, another call. Another good, young boy I knew, John. Another young man who had so much to offer the world with his attitude, his beautiful smile, his intelligence and his big heart,,,,,,,,,gone.
John was 22, and he wanted to go to Gemology school in California. It was his dream and he was close to having enough money to make the one year trip and fulfill that dream. He went to church, he didn't party a lot, he worked hard, and he was just a good person. He didn't break many of life's rules either, except for the one which took his life, he drove too fast.
When his truck overturned, he was thrown from it, and found far from the crash site. He had taken a curve too fast, and lost control. There were witnesses who say he was flying.
Another mother lost her son for no good reason. Four broken hearted parents now are left wondering why.
Neither of these boys were drinking. They were just doing what so many young boys do. Driving too fast.
I wonder if there is a special section in heaven where they meet and talk about fast cars and big engines.
If you have a young son, and he's out driving, please, tell him to slow down.
There has been so much conversation in our home, our 11 year old son is being taught now what speed can do. I hope it helps. I plan to keep the picture of JC's car around for a few years, and show it to him everyday when he starts driving.
I'll send you a copy of it if you want. If you think it might help your young son, I would be happy to pass it along.
Carol
I came on this board tonight, ghost reading! LOL.... I think you know that I leark a lot on this site :)
I am shocked that 160 people have viewed this post, and not one person has responded to your thread. The day that this all happened in your state, you called me in shock, and dismay. I am so sorry for your friends lost, and I would like to thank you for taking the time to share with us this story, in hope that it might save a life. Sharon
I came on this board tonight, ghost reading! LOL.... I think you know that I leark a lot on this site :)
I am shocked that 160 people have viewed this post, and not one person has responded to your thread. The day that this all happened in your state, you called me in shock, and dismay. I am so sorry for your friends lost, and I would like to thank you for taking the time to share with us this story, in hope that it might save a life. Sharon
Hey Carol, I am so sorry to read this. That is just awful. I will definately show this to my son; he is going to be driving soon.
I hope you are well...
Hi Shabee.
I hope you are well...
Hi Shabee.
Hey Kerry! I have not talked with you in a long time.... I just went through all my old emails... I have a lot of them, and deleted most. I had over a thousand emails, and I finally got around to cleaning "house". I am so glad that you will have this post to show your son! I really think that this was the point that Carol was trying to make....
Carol... Thanks again for sharing this with us :) xxoo Sharon
Carol... Thanks again for sharing this with us :) xxoo Sharon
Carol, I just read your post and I am sorry. In our town a few weeks back we also had a tragic accident. Ours involved a 16 year old boy driving. He lost his life along with two casino workers who were on their way home from work late at night. There has been a big controversy in our local paper about it because of the driving laws here in Ct. The young boy was out driving after midnight when the laws here forbid a 16 year old driving that late at night. He also had a friend in his car who was seriously injured and the laws state he could not have any passengers in his car with him being such a new driver. It is very sad we knew the young boys father as he is part of the military community here. My 15 year old daughter is looking to get her permit in May and I am not looking forward to it. Sorry for your loss. Shantel
Sharon! What the heck where you doing up so late!! I wish you could do something about your insomnia. With 3 kids, you need your sleep!
Yeah, I was surprised that we even have 160 reading here. Or maybe some were just re-reading my thread over and over. LOL It's very nice I am blessed to have a loving, support network in real life, and it's a darn good thing, huh?
Thank you Shantel and Kerry, you both have young sons, it's never to early to start teaching them about the dangers of driving.
I am letting Cade drive around our land now, at 11, with me. I want to KNOW that he is capable of being turned loose some day.
I heard about the kids in your area, Shatell, and I am so sorry. It's just too sad when it happens no needlessly. I'll say a little prayer for their families.
Ya'll have a good day, I'm off to the Sub. dr.....
edited because I was afraid some might take my statements the wrong way. It was only a personal joke, but I know it might have been miscontrued, and I truly didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
Yeah, I was surprised that we even have 160 reading here. Or maybe some were just re-reading my thread over and over. LOL It's very nice I am blessed to have a loving, support network in real life, and it's a darn good thing, huh?
Thank you Shantel and Kerry, you both have young sons, it's never to early to start teaching them about the dangers of driving.
I am letting Cade drive around our land now, at 11, with me. I want to KNOW that he is capable of being turned loose some day.
I heard about the kids in your area, Shatell, and I am so sorry. It's just too sad when it happens no needlessly. I'll say a little prayer for their families.
Ya'll have a good day, I'm off to the Sub. dr.....
edited because I was afraid some might take my statements the wrong way. It was only a personal joke, but I know it might have been miscontrued, and I truly didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
This is something that has been printed in "Dear Addy"over the years & some of you may have already read it but when I read about all these heartbreaking accidents it brought this into my mind
PLEASE GOD IM ONLY 17
The day I died was an ordinary school day.How I wish I had taken the bus!But I was too cool for the bus.I remember how I wheeled the car out of Mom."Special favor"I pleaded/"All the kids drive"When the 2:50 bell rang,I threw all my books into my locker.I was free until 8:40 tomarrow morning.I ran into the parking lot,excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss.FREE
It doesnt matter how the accident happen.I was goofing off -going too fast.Taking crazy chances!But I was enjoying my freedom & having fun.The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be moving awfully slow.I heard a deafening crash and felt a terrific jolt.Glass & steel flew everywhere.My whole body seemed to turn inside out.I heard myself scream.
Suddenly I awakened;it was very quiet.A police officer was standing over me.Than I saw a doctor.My body was mangled.I was saturated with blood.Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over me.Strange I couldn't feel anything.
hey! dont pull that sheet over my head! I cant be dead.Im only 17.Ive got a date tonight/I am suppose to grow up & have a wonderful life.I haven't lived yet...I can't be dead.
Later I was placed in a drawer.My folks had to identify me.WHY did they have to see me like this?Why did I have to look at Moms eyes,when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life?Dad suddenly looked like an old man.He told the man in charge,"yes he is my son"
The funeral was a weird experience.I saw all my relatives & friends walk toward the casket.They passed by,one by one & looked at me with the saddest eyes Ive ever seen.Some of my buddies were crying.A few girls touched my hand & sobbed as they walked away.
Pleas!!! somebody wake me up.Get me out of here!I can't bear to see my mom & dad so broken up.My grandparents are so racked with grief they can hardly walk.My brother & sisters look like zombies.They move like robots.In a daze EVERYONE!.No one can believe this.And I can't either.
Please don't bury me.Im NOT dead! I have alot of living to do!I want to laugh & run again.I want to sing & dance...PLEASE...dont put me in the ground!.I promise if you give me just one more chance,God Ill be the most careful driver in the whole world!!!!.
All I want is ONE MORE CHANCE!!!
PLEASE GOD IM ONLY 17.
I read this when I was only about 15.I clipped it from our newspaper & held it all these years.In those years so so many people I knew ended up this way.If this clipping helps 1 person,helps 1 teen think twice it will be worth the time it took to type it all out.
We only have one chance in this world & its so easy to loose focus of that.
Love Molly
PLEASE GOD IM ONLY 17
The day I died was an ordinary school day.How I wish I had taken the bus!But I was too cool for the bus.I remember how I wheeled the car out of Mom."Special favor"I pleaded/"All the kids drive"When the 2:50 bell rang,I threw all my books into my locker.I was free until 8:40 tomarrow morning.I ran into the parking lot,excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss.FREE
It doesnt matter how the accident happen.I was goofing off -going too fast.Taking crazy chances!But I was enjoying my freedom & having fun.The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be moving awfully slow.I heard a deafening crash and felt a terrific jolt.Glass & steel flew everywhere.My whole body seemed to turn inside out.I heard myself scream.
Suddenly I awakened;it was very quiet.A police officer was standing over me.Than I saw a doctor.My body was mangled.I was saturated with blood.Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over me.Strange I couldn't feel anything.
hey! dont pull that sheet over my head! I cant be dead.Im only 17.Ive got a date tonight/I am suppose to grow up & have a wonderful life.I haven't lived yet...I can't be dead.
Later I was placed in a drawer.My folks had to identify me.WHY did they have to see me like this?Why did I have to look at Moms eyes,when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life?Dad suddenly looked like an old man.He told the man in charge,"yes he is my son"
The funeral was a weird experience.I saw all my relatives & friends walk toward the casket.They passed by,one by one & looked at me with the saddest eyes Ive ever seen.Some of my buddies were crying.A few girls touched my hand & sobbed as they walked away.
Pleas!!! somebody wake me up.Get me out of here!I can't bear to see my mom & dad so broken up.My grandparents are so racked with grief they can hardly walk.My brother & sisters look like zombies.They move like robots.In a daze EVERYONE!.No one can believe this.And I can't either.
Please don't bury me.Im NOT dead! I have alot of living to do!I want to laugh & run again.I want to sing & dance...PLEASE...dont put me in the ground!.I promise if you give me just one more chance,God Ill be the most careful driver in the whole world!!!!.
All I want is ONE MORE CHANCE!!!
PLEASE GOD IM ONLY 17.
I read this when I was only about 15.I clipped it from our newspaper & held it all these years.In those years so so many people I knew ended up this way.If this clipping helps 1 person,helps 1 teen think twice it will be worth the time it took to type it all out.
We only have one chance in this world & its so easy to loose focus of that.
Love Molly
