I first heard on the news about this incident mid-last week – a 4 year old girl somehow died when she climbed into a front-load washing machine as her 15 month old brother turned it on. My first thoughts were about how tragic that situation is and how hard it would be for the family to cope with something like that.

Friday night I found out I was invited to her memorial service… Chills ran up and down my entire body when I realized that I am old friends with the father. I was looking at pictures of their family… wondering what I would do in that situation. Thinking about how one minute you have a perfect happy family and the next minute it’s torn apart and you have to try and pick up the pieces of your shattered life. I don’t know how I’d cope… I wouldn’t be able to comfort my wife and I can’t even begin to think about my feelings for my youngest child.

I am so sorry about what happened… Words can’t express how badly I wish their family strength and peace through this ordeal. It will probably take a really long time to heal… but I hope it’s sooner than later.

These are one of those moments that make you reflect on your own life and realize how much you take your loved ones for granted.