When Words Collide, Sentences Form

Just too sad...

Warning...sad post.



Southern West Virginia Miner's Memorial


I'm not one to go on about the horrible nature of some tragedies, or really ponder them too much. The reason for that is simple - you can't feel horrible and take to heart everything that happens because you will really always be sad about something. Stuff is going to happen - and although you can feel sympathy and offer support, you have to understand that sometimes those things will happen - and you can only be thankful each time those events don't impact you directly and personally. But some things just make your heart break for the families & friends involved. The Challenger and Columbia explosions...OK City...The World Trade Center Bombings...9-11...the tsunami...the earthquake in Pakistan, Katrina & Rita, to name a few. And now the coal miners tragedy in West Virginia.

This particular tragedy is so heart-wrenching to me because of the nature of the information distribution to the families. And I don't blame the mine owners or government reps 100% on this...although they do hold some responsibility in keeping the rumors under control and fixing them when they are so false. But first there is the horrible waiting period for any news at all...then the (I'm assumming) unreal jubilation in hearing that their loved ones will be returning to their arms. And then the just incredibly saddening let-down and anger at the news of their deaths just hours later.

Technology is great at conveying info - but too good at conveying rumors and false information, especially when it initially comes through a cloudy reception (mine communication equipment while wearing gas masks).

Secondly, another thought comes to mind about the horrible anticipation. To me, the waiting period between the incident and learning of the end result of your friends' and family members' lives is similar to the time between when a loved one is in a car accident or something similar, is on life support, and ultimately passes away after being taken off of the machines. But there is a huge difference: the families and loved ones often get to physically be with the person that has been placed on life support, hold their hands, and say goodbye while they are still technically alive (regardless of whether the person can hear you or respond...their body is still pumping blood - although at the urging of a machine). Or at least have some time to know what is happening - even if it is an untimely death or you can't be physically at that person's side. The families of these miners had to go through that process without the failing bodies of their loved ones to hold on to. And they still did not know what was going on. That is what makes me really sad.

I'm almost positive that this tragedy took place in northeastern West Virginia - nowhere close to southern West Virginia. But this inscription on the Southern West Virgina Miner's Memorial is simple and the memorial is also physically poignant...solitary and solid. Additionally, it is in memory not only of those that have perished in the memorable and noticible explosions and accidents that we hear about - but also silently and out of the spotlight from horrific and terrifying lung diseases.

My thoughts and prayers are with those families...and my hopes are that no one that I am close to ever has to go through something that heart-wrenching.

posted by Steph @ 7:00 PM