Other People

Other People

Every so often,

you hear about other people

losing their child.

Sometimes there is a horrible accident

you find out on television.

Sometimes it is a senseless murder or suicide

you read about in the newspaper.

Sometimes you learn about a deadly illness over

the telephone because,this time,

the child belongs to someone you know.

When such a tragedy happens,

to other people,

your heart goes out to them.

You feel deeply saddened and,perhaps,

you shed a few tears.

You then continue your charmed life,

going about business as usual.

You don't forget,but,

you don't necessaily remember either.

After all,the death of a child

is something that occurs in the lives

of other people.

Unless,God forbid,

the television story or newspaper article or

telephone call

is about your child.

Unless,one terrible day,

heaven and earh and hell become one.

Unless your life loses all meaning and

nothing makes sense anymore.

Suddenly,

by a random twist of fate,or the hand of God,

you have become the other people.

Madelaine Perri Kasden

Written in Loving Memory of Her Son,

Neil Perri,10/2/71-6/15/95

In: Levine M. First You Die,2004.Page1