What can be more pure, more special, more American than a dad bringing his son to the ballpark. A daddy/son trip to watch the Texas Rangers take on the Oakland A's turned tragic last night. In case you have not seen the video or heard the story I will post a link. Let me caution you, this is just so sad. The video only shows the dad falling after trying to secure a major league baseball for his son. Fortunately we do not see his impact 20 feet below. For context here is the link:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2011/07/07/2011-07-07_texas_rangers_fan_falls_to_his_death_trying_to_catch_ball_tossed_into_stands_in_.html
Once again I am struck by how the news of this tragedy has impacted me so profoundly. I can't get the thought out of my head of an innocent 6 year old boy enjoying a real major league game with his hero, his dad, and to witness this horrific event. And to live the rest of his life without daddy.
The article tells us more details. Shannon Stone seems like a stand-up guy, 39 years old and a 18 year veteran of his local community fire department. As a fireman, as he lay there being attended to by medical personnel he probably knew the severity of his injuries. And all reports, including those from one of the players in the bullpen, say his only concern was for his son.
Why do these things happen? Is this another classic case of why do bad things happen to good people? Why should that young boy, and his mom, live their lives without their daddy and husband? We simply do not know.
It's not enough just to say accidents happen; even tragic life-ending accidents. But in fact, that's the case. Sometimes many ask where was God in the midst of things like this. And sometimes it's just easy to blame God. I do not know the answers but I know this: God has a plan for Shannon Stone and we cannot possibly know and/or understand His ways. God has a plan for that little boy, and his mom and his family. We cannot know and/or understand His ways. God has a plan for all of His children, all of them. We cannot know and/or understand His ways.
Out of this tragic event God will help all involved to cope, to heal, to carry-on.
May God have mercy on this young daddy and the family he leaves behind, especially that precious little boy who is surely missing his hero, his daddy on this Friday night.
If ever there was a night to use my favorite Scripture verse: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever!
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