From the mouths of babes

About a week and a half ago there was an accident involving a crossing guard, a second-grader, and a dump truck. This woman noticed that the dump truck wasn't slowing down while the little boy was crossing the street and she ran out and shielded his little body from taking a direct blow. Such a heroic act of bravery and love brought tears to my eyes. Unfortunately, this amazing woman passed away a short time later from her injuries, the little boy is now in fair condition in the hospital, though he was in critical. My heart breaks for the loss of this woman's family. I'm not sure why I connected with it so emotionally. Maybe it's because I pass that school every single day to take Camden to his preschool. Maybe it's because Camden will be going to kindergarten next year and that little boy wasn't much older than he is. Maybe it's because I would have done the same thing, as I'm sure anyone would to save a child. I don't know.

Diane Sharp was her name. There is now a memorial of bears, flowers, posters, and wreaths at that crosswalk put there by the children and their families of the elementary school. I guess in a world where there is so much evil, selfishness, destruction, laziness, and indifference this shining moment of clarity and love shone like a beacon to all that there are unselfish acts of love in the world. You know that she knew she would be hit. That it would hurt. Maybe she even knew that she might die, though I'm sure it all happened so fast she just reacted with the right choice. She leaves behind a husband and a fourth-grade daughter at the same elementary school.

Because of the memorial on the road that we pass every day, Camden naturally asked what was going on. Plus, on the day of the accident the usual route to school was blocked off with several police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, etc. I thought that he was aware enough to know something bad had happened and so I told him the truth. That a mommy who helped kids cross the street had been hit by a truck while saving a little boys life. He took it pretty well and I warned him off the dangers of crossing the street without looking and that's why I have him hold my hand in parking lots, etc, etc.

The next day as we passed the crosswalk on our way to school he asked, what I thought, was such a profound question.

He asked: Until the mommy is resurrected, who'll take the little boy to school?

My heart just melted at his obvious concern for the simple tasks in life that will be interrupted and that he knows, at five, that there is a resurrection. It really made me stop and think of my example to him and my responsibility to continue to teach him about the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I explained that it wasn't the boys' mommy that died but a neighbor who helped him cross the street. I was thinking to myself, the little boy still has his mommy but a little girl lost hers. I am grateful for the gospel. For the knowledge and testimony I have of forever families and the love of Christ to all.

FYI, the construction truck driver says he honestly didn't see the child crossing the street and was very upset and regretful of his actions. I pray that God helps all involved in this accident heal and forgive.