And here I am....

[ultraviolet9a]

...feeling rather stupid about my previous rant.  Which I knew I would of course.

Stupid notebook has been successfully retrieved, but that's not important either.

So anyway, yesterday morning I go to class and my sixth-graders, who are usually hell on wheels or whatever that's called and I love them to bits despite that, are really quiet and calm and kind of...pensive.

I say "what's wrong?" 

So they tell me how there was an accident up the road during the night. Heavy motorbike, quick driving, a ditch flooded with water from previous rain. This young guy, around 27, lost control, ended up in the ditch, motorbike on him. He had head injuries, and either that did it, or he drowned in the water cuz he fainted or couldn't move. In the morning, on the way to school, my kids found him. Fucking hell, my kids found the dead body.

I'm...I don't know how I'm feeling. Freaked, sure, but it got me thinking about life and death and all this shit and with me, that's never good. And I really wish I could take it back from my kids, take the image of the dead man away, cuz they're too young for this. And I wish the guy had been alive. He was too young, too far away from home to lose his life like that.

And anyway, then I got home, and I got family staying over (not close one, mind you) and things are orbitting rather weird. But that is a rant for a different day. Preferrably Monday.

You take care, guys. Really take care. I know I don't know you apart as fics and entries and usernames and icons, but I do care about you. And I want you well. So please, please take care.

Now let me get back to my freaking, correcting papers, and reading consolation fanfic (takes my mind off things so nicely...)

Comments

[elanurel.livejournal.com]

* hugs *

That's just...ouch... I know that death is inescapable but that's just a harsh lesson to see so starkly when you're that young (or any age, for that matter) and, absolutely, you want to shield kids from that. We're all a lot older these days and sometimes I wish kids stayed, well, kids longer than they do.

And something like that really puts your life back into perspective, too... You take care as well, because that can't have been any easier on you than it was on your kids.

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* I know. I wish kids stayed kids longer. I know I was a kid for longer than the generation of kids I'm teaching now, and that is kind of unsettling in itself.

And the kid that died...man, I didn't know him, I might have seen him once or twice, but he left his country to come and work here, and he just died, in the night, all alone. And he was young. And that just...it just...*weepy*...makes me sad.

[elanurel.livejournal.com]

The part that really gets me about the boy who died is that he was alone.

My mom and I witnessed a motorcycle accident when I was in college, and we stayed with him while someone called the police. At least I have some comfort in that he didn't die alone...but he wasn't much older than I was at the time and that memory stayed with me long enough...

* hugs *

I know you and your kids will get through this...but I'm here if you need someone to listen.

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much *hug*

And man...things like these shouldn't be happening. Nobody deserves that.

[hiyacynth.livejournal.com]

It's always so freaky when death comes right into your life, or the periphery thereof... Seems like that should be a stupid thing to say, because everybody dies and everybody knows lots of people, so it follows that everybody should have it pop up--but it still wigs you right the heck out when it does.

You take care of yourself, too.

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. I will.

And yeah, death? I kind of only like him in Terry Pratchett's novels. Other than that it's a complete no-no for me since I was a wee kid. And I just feel so sorry for that guy. Just so fucking sorry.

[zelost-mind.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. That is tragic. Your kids must be so freaked out, that's such a scary thing to come across. I can't even imagine how shocked you all must be.

Man. You just take it easy. *squeeze*

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetie. *hugs back*

[theladyscribe]

*hugs*

Don't know that I've got much else to say except I promise to take care. :)

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Thank you, sweetie. Taking care is good. :)

[smilla02.livejournal.com]

Gosh that is awful, babe! How do you prepare children to the iea of death, it's such a complicated all-encompassing concept in its absolute-ness, and it can't be totally grasped by children so young.
My son asked me about Dolly finally, and I had such a hard time making him understand that gone is gone, not coming back. Never. I still don't think he does understand (he's just 5).

Loves and hugs and you too take care of yourself.

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. *hugs back*

[daydream03.livejournal.com]

In the morning, on the way to school, my kids found him.

Oh my God. I don't know how I would handle that let alone being 12? Take heart in that your students will probably come out of this for the most part unscathed. As bad as this sounds it might even teach one or two of them to think twice before doing something that they normally wouldn't.

As for ranting, it's a great thing, trust me. If it wasn't for ranting I'd be a complete headcase, as oppossed to the 1/2 headcase that I maintain rather effortlessly. It's my vice because I don't do drugs & I'm not much of a drinker.
Ranting has no ill side effects & it can't get your fired from your job for elicit use. *g*

[ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I know they will. I just...freaked over the whole deal.

And yes, ranting? Totally beautiful. I agree with you on all points. :)