I found out this morning that two of the British climbers killed in the avalanche in France yesterday were from our village. Two men, raising money for charity, with wives/partners, and children at the same school as my kids - acquaintances of mine, Steve and John.
Shocking really, but for me nothing compared to the grief of the families. The school run was quiet - voices muted, no usual shouts from children, no casual chats, just lowered voices and sad discussions. The media was everywhere - on the village green, in the streets, yet all commenting on the community spirit that was the strength of the village, as well as the tragedy of the loss.
As I reflect on today's events my heart goes out to those left behind - so difficult for them and how can you explain to a child that their Dad is never coming home? My older son is in the same year as two of the children involved - he came home subdued and sad, saying "I can't imagine if Dad never came home, where is he, will he be home soon?" He understood only too well how his fellow pupils might feel, especially as another of his friends who lost his own father a few years ago had to be collected from school as he was so upset by the day's events.
So what to do now? Support the families remaining, for sure, and not just in the next few days, but in the weeks and months to come, when it's too easy to forget and assume things have moved on....
Anyone who would like to donate to the charity they were supporting when they died, please do feel free to add donations to:
http://www.justgiving.com/stevebarber
I'm not sure what this post is about really - a sense of loss within the community, a realisation of the fragility of our lives, and a wish to comfort and help those most affected - but feeling very helpless at the moment.....
