It’s Tuesday night here in Bangkok, and we in the ISB community have just received word that a high school student died today in an accident in the school swimming pool. An eleventh grade boy, with his whole life ahead of him, is gone. His future accomplishments, his future family, his future children, all gone. Although I don’t know the student or the family, I’m feeling quite shaken. Maybe it’s because I now have a sweet little boy of my own to take care of, to hope and dream for, to raise to be a man, and the thought of him disappearing from the world is absolutely unfathomable. Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking a lot lately about family, about my brothers, and about how much we’re all missing out on by not maintaining relationships with each other. Maybe it’s because I tried to imagine what that boy’s parents must be experiencing right now, and if just imagining it brought tears to my eyes, what must the reality be like? Whatever the reason, I’m so so sad for the completely unfair and pointless loss the people in my community are experiencing right now. Tomorrow we’re being allowed to stay home, and I can guarantee that I will be spending the day with the people that matter most, doing the things that matter most. It can all be over in the blink of an eye, so go hug someone, write someone a kind letter, say something nice to someone, disconnect from the noise of our society, focus on the moment, and do something to make that moment beautiful.
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We Are The Wongs 
Angela, thank you for sharing. My heart is broken for that family. I am praying they will receive comfort and healing , as they struggle to deal with the deep pain of being separated from their child. (Thank God, the separation is not permanent.)
What a horrible tragedy. I am thinking of you, and those around you. Give Corbet and Dorian a big hug for me…
One of our 6th graders died last year when I was 7 months pregnant with Jude. He fell from a window while playing in his apartment. Just like that. After a truly traumatic day in school that involved having to tell my sweet advisory of 6th graders what had happened to their friend, and then help them cope as they aimlessly wandered the halls (our school did not have the foresight of allowing them to go home), I lay awake that night imagining how his mother would ever sleep again, how the pain would ever subside for her, and I tried to figure out how I could keep Jude safe in my belly forever. Even the thought of this kind of loss is impossible to bear, and yet I think of it often: there but for the grace of god goes my every happiness. And you are right. All you can do is cherish the moment. And be grateful for every single one. And love people with all you have while you can. Love you, my friend.
So sorry to hear this. What an awful story! But you’re right: life is short. Cherish the memories with family
Dear Angie,
SO sad to hear of this tragedy. We really are feeling for you and the seemingly pointless waste of a young life. Our hearts reach out to you. It sure makes us seize the days and time we have been given on this earth.
Hope you and the lovelies Corbet and Dorian are doing well as we are here. We have been in cold, wet Ireland for two weeks. Enjoying the company and hoping the weather will improve soon.
Take care, be blessed and keep in touch.
Blessings abounding,
Pauline and for Tony