37 Comments
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Dora's avatar

I don’t know how to respond to something so raw and sacred, except with silence first — and then with gratitude.

Thank you for sharing this.

For letting us witness not just a tragedy, but the quiet humanity that lives inside it — the volunteers who searched blindly, the children who found peace in their final moments, the parents who waited without knowing, and the mother who, in the same hospital, held new life in her arms while others said goodbye.

There is something unspeakably fragile about that day.

The way joy and grief passed each other in the hallway.

And the way your words let them both be seen.🙏🏼

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for your beautiful and compassionate comment, Dora. I appreciate your thoughts. <3

Eileen Susan_Dust the Diamonds's avatar

Tragic beyond comprehension. A heartfelt relation of such loss and its parallel, new life.

It seems an injustice on my part to comment, but as a parent, I feel for those who lost their children.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Precisely, Eileen. We keep them in our hearts and thoughts. Thank you for commenting.

Andrew Lynch's avatar

I love hearing your stories

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I would prefer if it was only a story, Andrew. Many strange events happened in my life. I used to wonder why. Thank you for reading and commenting.

Andrew Lynch's avatar

Maybe so you can be a story teller

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for your compliment, Andrew. I am glad you think I am a good storyteller. <3

Maralet Meyer's avatar

What a tradegy, such a sad story.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Deeply sad day, Maralet.

Esther Stanway-Williams's avatar

Utterly tragic. I drew comfort from the description of how it feels at the point of death. I know you will get this

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It was a comfort to me too, Esther. ❤

Aaron Sorensen's avatar

My God! What a heartbreaking story.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It was an awful day for many people, Aaron.

Beth L. Gainer's avatar

Wow, Rea. This is so powerful, and the juxtaposition of the mass death resulting from the school bus incident with the birth of your child is so effective.

How sad this event is. So tragic. Thank you for sharing this; the children's stories need to be told.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It was tragic, Beth. I agree, their stories need to be told. <3

Chano's avatar

Collective grief is something. I am in the US, and the tragedy of the Texas flood hit close to heart because my two granddaughters just finished camp on Saturday morning, not in Texas, on the East Coast.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I have been watching the news, Chano. It is heartbreaking.

Brenda - A Voice that Wonders's avatar

I remember this tragedy. I lived in Bez Valley when it happened. It had a tremendous effect on many. Left us dazed. We walked in sadness for weeks. 🌸

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It was an awful day, Brenda. <3

Colleen Bent's avatar

What a sad, sad accident. Your telling makes it come alive....

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It was heartbreaking, Colleen. <3

Nancy Hesting's avatar

What a tragic story. I can't imagine the level of grief those parents had. Thank you.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for your kind comment, Nancy.

Mark Farley’s wandering’s's avatar

I was not aware of the tragedy, you described. A Horrendous loss of young life.

Today in the UK we are remembering the events of 7-7-05 when four suicide bombers struck London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Oh my goodness, Mark. That must have been hell.

Josh Datko's avatar

Wow, what a sad story. Here in the US the news is covering a flash flood in Texas where something like 50 children, who were at a girls-camp, are missing or now dead. These events are just so tragic.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Yes I have been watching the news. Nature is unforgiving. Heartbreaking, Josh.

Val S.'s avatar

Life in all its cruel randomness! What a tragedy! All these losses will be tough to forget for those who survived and for all the parents who lost their child. It's the worst thing anyone can go through! I really hope they can find their peace one day! Easier said than done, I know, but I truly hope that day comes.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

They are adults now and it still haunts them. I hope that too, Valle.

MaryAnne Bernardo's avatar

So sad

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Indeed, MaryAnne.

Jen Reich's avatar

So very tragic, Rea. The stories of the survivors feeling a sense of calm and peace offers some comfort that the others too felt this as they made their transition.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

This fact stood out to me, Jen. One thing to be thankful for. <3